The present invention discloses a single unified decoder for performing both convolutional decoding and turbo decoding in the one architecture. The unified decoder can be partitioned dynamically to perform required decoding operations on varying numbers of data streams at different throughput rates. It also supports simultaneous decoding of voice (convolutional decoding) and data (turbo decoding) streams. This invention forms the basis of a decoder that can decode all of the standards for TDMA, IS-95, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000. Processors are stacked together and interconnected so that they can perform separately as separate decoders or in harmony as a single high speed decoder. The unified decoder architecture can support multiple data streams and multiple voice streams simultaneously. Furthermore, the decoder can be dynamically partitioned as required to decode voice streams for different standards.