THE SYNTHESIS OF CASCADE SWITCHING CIRCUITS
Abstract
The problem is considered of synthesizing switching circuits that compute a given, completely specified switching function, and a new point of view is adopted in which switching circuits are considered to be realizations of algorithms rather than interpretations of truth-functional formulae. A restricted class of algorithms, called the cascade algorithms, is identified; it is suggested that tree and collapsed-tree, iterative, multiple-iterative sequential, and cascaded-sequential switching circuits may be viewed as realizations of cascade algorithms. All of these circuits are called, therefore, cascade circuits. Three basic techniques--functional decomposition, merging, and skipping-which permit the synthesis of efficient cascade algorithms to compute a given function, are described. It is then shown how these techniques may be applied so as to synthesize a collapsedtree, iterative, multiple-iterative, sequential, or cascaded-sequential switching circuit that computes a given switching function. Examples are drawn from the technology of current-steering devices, such as relays and cryotrons, but the method is applicable to other technologies. The procedures appear to be well adapted to execution on contemporary digital computers. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0287061
Entities
People
- R.e. Levien
Organizations
- RAND Corporation