A design of and design tools for a novel quantum dot based microprocessor

ABSTRACT

Despite the seemingly endless upw ards spiral of modern VLSI technology, many experts are predicting a hard w all for CMOS in about a decade. Given this, researc hers con tin ue to look at alternative technologies, one of which is based on quan tumdots, called quan tumcellular automata (QCA). While the first such devices have been fabricated, little is kno wn about how to design complete systems of them. This paper summarizes one of the first such studies, namely an attempt to design a complete, albeit simple, CPU in the technology. T o design a theoretical QCA microprocessor, two things must be accomplished. First a device model of the processor must be constructed (i.e. the schematic itself). Second, methods for sim ulatingand testing QCA designs m ust be developed. This paper summarizes the beginnings of a simple QCA microprocessor (namely, its dataflow) and a QCA design and simulation tool.

REFERENCES

• 1: In The National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors. Semiconductor Industry Association, 1997.
• 2: G. H. Bernstein, G. Bazan, M. Chen, C. S. Lent, J. L. Merz, A. O. Orlov, W. Porod, G. L. Snider, and P. D. Tougaw. Practical issues in the realization of quantum-dot cellular automata. Superlattices and Microstructures, 20:447-459, 1996.
• 3: D. Berzon and T. Fountain. Unpublished.
• 4: C. S. Lent and P. D. Tougaw. A device architecture for computing with quantum dots. Proceedings of the IEEE, 85:541, 1997.
• 5: Jan M. Rabaey, Digital integrated circuits: a design perspective, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1996
• 6: P. Tougaw and C. Lent. Logical devices implemented using quantum cellular automata. Journal of Applied Physics, 75:1818, 1994.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  B. Hardware

Additional Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.7 INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
      B.7.1 Types and Design Styles
          Subjects: VLSI (very large scale integration)
  B.8 Performance and Reliability

  C. Computer Systems Organization

  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Graphical user interfaces (GUI)

  J. Computer Applications

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Measurement, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
nanotechnology, quantum cellular automata