Provided is a programmable matrix element or “PME” (which may be part of an ASIC central processing unit) operable to manipulate a data set of real and complex numbers derived from an input signal. Specific operations may include: addition, subtraction, multiplication, accumulation, storage and scaling. Each PME includes a plurality of multi-stage signal processing modules, which may be two-staged modules. Each state, in turn, includes: at least one data manipulation module for manipulating the input signal; a crosspoint switch for facilitating the receipt and parallel distribution of an input signal/manipulated output signal; and a programmable control module operable to support data manipulation by controlling manipulation functions, storing data and routing signals. A given crosspoint switch may be programmed to interconnect data manipulation modules in “datapipe” fashion, which is to say via a specified number of parallel data pathways.