An application specific processor to implement a Viterbi decode algorithm for channel decoding functions of received symbols. The Viterbi decode algorithm is at least one of a Bit Serial decode algorithm, and block based decode algorithm. The application specific processor includes a Load-Store, Logical and De-puncturing (LLD) slot that performs a Load-Store function, a Logical function, a De-puncturing function, and a Trace-back Address generation function, a Branch Metric Compute (BMU) slot that performs Radix-2 branch metric computations, Radix-4 branch metric computations, and Squared Euclidean Branch Metric computations, and an Add-Compare-Select (ACS) slot that performs Radix-2 Path metric computations, Radix-4 Path metric computations, best state computations, and a decision bit generation. The LLD slot, the BMU slot and the ACS slot perform in a software pipelined manner to enable high speed Viterbi decoding functions.