A memory access unit, for providing read-access to read an item from an arbitrary location in a physical memory, independently of addressable locations of that physical memory, wherein the item comprises a first number of bits and each addressable location of the physical memory comprises a second number of bits, the second number of bits being different from the first number of bits, the memory access unit comprising: an address input, for receiving an input memory address identifying the location of the item; an address interpreter, configured to calculate a physical memory address from the input memory address; an address output for supplying the physical memory address to an address-input of the physical memory; a memory input for reading one or more data words from the physical memory, the one or more data words including the item; a data formatter, configured to extract the item from the one or more data words; and a data output, for outputting the extracted item, characterized in that the address interpreter is configured to: obtain a starting address in the physical memory and an item width, comprising interpreting a first part of the input memory address; obtain an item number, comprising interpreting a second part of the input memory address; and calculate the physical memory address, based on the starting address, the item number, and the item width, and wherein the data formatter is configured to: calculate the position of the item within the one or more data words, based on the item number and the item width; and extract the item from the one or more data words at the calculated position. an address input, for receiving an input memory address identifying the location of the item; an address interpreter, configured to calculate a physical memory address from the input memory address; an address output for supplying the physical memory address to an address-input of the physical memory; a memory input for reading one or more data words from the physical memory, the one or more data words including the item; a data formatter, configured to extract the item from the one or more data words; and a data output, for outputting the extracted item, characterized in that the address interpreter is configured to: obtain a starting address in the physical memory and an item width, comprising interpreting a first part of the input memory address; obtain an item number, comprising interpreting a second part of the input memory address; and calculate the physical memory address, based on the starting address, the item number, and the item width, and obtain a starting address in the physical memory and an item width, comprising interpreting a first part of the input memory address; obtain an item number, comprising interpreting a second part of the input memory address; and calculate the physical memory address, based on the starting address, the item number, and the item width, and wherein the data formatter is configured to: calculate the position of the item within the one or more data words, based on the item number and the item width; and extract the item from the one or more data words at the calculated position. calculate the position of the item within the one or more data words, based on the item number and the item width; and extract the item from the one or more data words at the calculated position.