Method and apparatus for performing operation of convolutional layer in convolutional neural network

A method for performing an operation of a convolutional layer in a convolutional neural network, comprising:

• reading unfolded-feature-data provided to the convolution layer and an original convolution kernel of the convolution layer from a dynamic random access memory (DRAM);
• padding the unfolded-feature-data according to a padding mode specified by the convolution layer;
• folding the padded unfolded-feature-data in at least one dimension of width and height to generate folded feature data;
• storing the folded feature data into a static random access memory (SRAM);
• folding the original convolution kernel in the at least one dimension of width and height to generate one or more folded convolution kernels corresponding to the original convolution kernel;
• storing the one or more folded convolution kernels in the SRAM;
• and
• reading the folded feature data and the one or more folded, convolution kernels from the SRAM into a calculation circuit for performing a convolution operation on the folded feature data by using the one or more folded convolution kernels.