Apparatus for processing incoming and/or outgoing data-elements

A method for processing incoming and/or outgoing data-elements cyclically, the data-elements representing numerical and/or logical values that are linked to an upper-layer application, the method comprising:

• converting at least one or more of the data-elements after a linear operation into at least one or more input scalar signals of a generic data type, in particular an IEEE 754 float and/or, after an additional quantization, into at least one or more bool signals, the converting being particularly carried out by a distributor block,
• performing at least one or multiple combining operations, each combining operation comprising combining at least one or more of the input scalar signals into one output scalar signal, the combining operations being particularly performed by a combiner block,
• reconverting at least one or more of the output scalar signals and/or of the bool signals and/or of an output based on these signals into one or more data-elements after a linear operation and/or a quantization step, the reconverting being particularly carried out by a merger block,
• performing logic operations on at least one or more of the bool signals and particularly providing both input and output for the bool signals, the logic operations being particularly performed by a logic block,
• inserting processing blocks, particularly into one or more input scalar signals, between the distributor block and the combiner block or, particularly into one or more output scalar signals, between the combiner block and the merger block.

A data processing apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and storing a computer program comprising commands, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• convert at least one or more of the data-elements after a linear operation into at least one or more input scalar signals of a generic data type, in particular an IEEE 754 float and/or, after an additional quantization, into at least one or more bool signals, the converting being particularly carried out by a distributor block,
• perform at least one or multiple combining operations, each combining operation comprising combining at least one or more of the input scalar signals into one output scalar signal, the combining operations being particularly performed by a combiner block,
• reconvert at least one or more of the output scalar signals and/or of the bool signals and/or of an output based on these signals into one or more data-elements after a linear operation and/or a quantization step, the reconverting being particularly carried out by a merger block,
• perform logic operations on at least one or more of the bool signals and particularly providing both input and output for the bool signals, the logic operations being particularly performed by a logic block, and
• insert processing blocks, particularly into one or more input scalar signals, between the distributor block and the combiner block or, particularly into one or more output scalar signals, between the combiner block and the merger block.

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

• convert at least one or more of the data-elements after a linear operation into at least one or more input scalar signals of a generic data type, in particular an IEEE 754 float and/or, after an additional quantization, into at least one or more bool signals, the converting beinq particularly carried out by a distributor block,
• perform at least one or multiple combining operations, each combining operation comprising combining at least one or more of the input scalar signals into one output scalar signal, the combining operations being particularly performed by a combiner block,
• reconvert at least one or more of the output scalar signals and/or of the bool signals and/or of an output based on these signals into one or more data-elements after a linear operation and/or a quantization step, the reconverting being particularly carried out by a merger block,
• perform logic operations on at least one or more of the bool signals and particularly providing both input and output for the bool signals, the logic operations being particularly performed by a logic block, and
• insert processing blocks, particularly into one or more input scalar signals, between the distributor block and the combiner block or, particularly into one or more output scalar signals, between the combiner block and the merger block.