A method of processing image data in a connectionist network comprises a plurality of units, wherein the method implements a multi-channel unit forming a respective one of the plurality of units, and wherein the method comprises: receiving, at the data input, a plurality of input picture elements representing an image acquired by means of a multi-channel image sensor, wherein the plurality of input picture elements comprise a first and at least a second portion of input picture elements, wherein the first portion of input picture elements represents a first channel of the image sensor and the second portion of input picture elements represents a second channel of the image sensor; processing of the first and at least second portion of input picture elements separately from each other; and outputting, at the data output, the processed first and second portions of input picture elements.