Patent ID: 7464251

Claim:
A method for using a data path comprising a plurality of processing elements (PEs) configured to perform a first set of functions, the method comprising: transmitting a carry bit from an arithmetic logic unit of a first PE to an arithmetic logic unit of a second PE using a first carry chain, the first carry chain coupling the first PE with the second PE; generating a signal in the second PE in response to the received carry bit wherein the signal includes a saturation signal and a saturation value of the data path; and transmitting the signal from the arithmetic logic unit of the second PE to the arithmetic logic unit of first PE using a second carry chain, the second carry chain coupling the second PE with the first PE and including a first back propagation channel configured to transmit the saturation signal and a second back propagation channel configured to transmit the saturation value; and in response to the signal, changing the operation of the data path from performing the first set of functions to performing a second set of functions, the first set of functions and the second set of functions being different from one another.