1. A method of processing binary data comprising the step of: generating a binary output value y in response to a binary input value x, the binary output value y and binary input value x each including a sign bit and at least one additional bit, the binary output value y assuming a value of &plus;1 when the input value x has a value greater than 0, assuming a value of 0 when the input value x has a value of 0, and assuming a value of −1 when the input value x has a value less than 0, the step of generating a binary output y including the steps of: setting the sign bit of the output value y to the value of the sign bit of the input value x; and using a hardware circuit to generate, in parallel with the setting of the sign bit of the output value y, the at least one additional bit of the output value y by performing a logical ORing operation using each bit of the input value x.