HIGH SPEED RIPPLE ADDER

Apparatus and method to logically process signals representative of multiple-bit numbers include successively delaying applications of the bit-representative signals to logical processing stages from associated input registers by a delay interval between input registers that is substantially equal to the processing delay interval per bit-level of the logical processing stage. In this way, successively more significant bits of each of plural numbers being logically processed are validly available for processing at each bit-level logic stage after a delay. At least one of the bit-representative signals is inverted prior to the input registers or prior to processing by the logical processing stage. The delay is reduced by omitting an inverting function in a carry circuit associated with at least one logical processing stage. Similarly, output registers for latching the logic output of each bit-level logic stage are clocked at successively delayed intervals substantially equal to the processing delay interval.