1. A maximum likelihood decoding system for high speed and efficient decoding of convolutionally-encoded data streams of constraint lengths greater than 6, comprising an analog neural network having a plurality of analog neurons, said analog neurons for mathematically combining analog signals, said analog neural network adapted to receive a convolutionally-encoded digital data stream and adapted to decode said data stream using said analog neurons into a sequence of digital values by performing a Viterbi algorithm, said analog network minimizing error in said digital values.