Investigation of Multiple-valued Logic Technologies for Beyond-binary Era
Abstract
Computing technologies are currently based on the binary logic/number system, which is dependent on the
simple on and off switching mechanism of the prevailing transistors. With the exponential increase of data
processing and storage needs, there is a strong push to move to a higher radix logic/number system that
can eradicate or lessen many limitations of the binary system. Anticipated saturation of Moore’s law and
the necessity to increase information density and processing speed in the future micro and nanoelectronic
circuits and systems provide a strong background and motivation for the beyond-binary logic system. In this
review article, different technologies for Multiple-valued-Logic (MVL) devices and the associated prospects
and constraints are discussed. The feasibility of the MVL system in real-world applications rests on resolving
two major challenges: (i) development of an efficient mathematical approach to implement the MVL logic
using available technologies, and (ii) availability of effective synthesis techniques. This review of different
technologies for the MVL system is intended to perform a comprehensive investigation of various MVL technologies and a comparative analysis of the feasible approaches to implement MVL devices, especially ternary
logic.
Citation
ACM Computing Surveys, Vol. 54, No. 1, Article 16. Publication date: January 2021