A Log Map processor that processes information in accordance with the Log
MAP algorithm using an N-state Radix-K trellis where K is an integer
equal to 4 or greater and N is an integer equal to 2 or greater. The Log
Map processor comprises branch and path metric calculators designed with
LogSum operators. The LogSum operators used and Add-Compare-Select
architecture that is based on an approximation of the Jacobian definition
of the LogSum operation. The Log Map processor is thus able to process
relatively more information per unit time.