The disclosure relates to a memory access unit. One example embodiment is a memory access unit, for providing read-access to read an item from an arbitrary location in a physical memory, independently of addressable locations of the physical memory. The item includes a first number of bits and each addressable location of the physical memory includes a second number of bits. The second number of bits is different from the first number of bits. The memory access unit includes an address input, an address interpreter, an address output, a memory output, a data formatter, and a data output.