A multi-ported orthogonal
data memory (16) for effecting a corner-turning function, where for example
data input as a sequence of bit-parallel word-serial data transfers are converted to data output in a bit-serial, word-parallel fashion, is described. The memory (16) is arranged to transfer data words comprising a plurality of data items and comprising: a plurality of
data memory cells (36) arranged in the form of a matrix having rows and columns, and a plurality of groups (A, B, C, D) of memory cells (36) within the matrix, each group (A, B, C, D) being defined across multiple rows and columns and being individually addressable to effect transfer of a data word thereto; and enabling means having dedicated strobe connections (PDTEN) to each of the plurality of groups (A, B, C, D) of memory cells (36) and being arranged to enable selected ones of the plurality of groups (A, B, C, D) of memory cells (36) to read data present at their inputs, or to write stored data to their outputs, in a single
transfer operation.