Method and apparatus for performing a neural network operation

Abstract

A method for performing a neural network operation includes receiving weight and bias values of a deep neural network (DNN). An array of feature values, a bias value and a set of weight values for a single layer of the DNN are coupled to a neural network engine. Multiply-and-accumulate operations are performed on the single layer at one or more multiply and accumulate circuit (MAC) to obtain a sum corresponding to each neuron in the single layer. A layer output value corresponding to each neuron in the single layer is coupled to a corresponding input of the MAC. The coupling a bias value and a set of weight values, the performing multiply-and-accumulate operations and the coupling a layer output value are repeated to generate an output-layer-sum corresponding to each output-layer neuron and an activation function is performed on each output-layer-sum to generate DNN output values.