Processing element and operating method thereof in neural network

A processing element performing operations in a neural network, comprising:

• a first multiplexer selecting a first value among the first value stored in a first memory and a first data input signal;
• a second multiplexer selecting a second data input signal among the first value and the second data input signal;
• a multiplier multiplying the first value by an output value of the second multiplexer;
• a comparator comparing the first value with a predetermined reference value;
• and
• a third multiplexer selecting one of an output value of the first multiplexer and an output value of the multiplier according to the comparison result of the comparator.

A method of operating a processing element in a neural network, comprising:

• selecting, by a first multiplexer, a first data input signal among a first value stored in a first register and the first data input signal;
• selecting, by a second multiplexer, a second data input signal among the first value and the second data input signal;
• generating a second value that is a value obtained by multiplying the first data input signal by the second data input signal;
• and
• storing the second value in the first register.