Toward the age of beyond-binary electronics and systems

The key issue in MVL (multiple-valued-logic) systems is the development of superior multiple-valued hardware algorithms and appropriate devices. From this point of view, several chips that are superior to the corresponding binary ones have been developed. These advantages will be greatly enhanced in the submicron geometry because performance depends on the interconnection resistance and capacitance. However, it will be necessary to evaluate these effects more formally and demonstrate their viability by actual VLSI implementations. Also, the basic research on MVL-oriented devices, such as biodevices, is essential to realize beyond-binary electronics and systems. The challenge for the 1990s will be to establish a significant role for MVL approaches in practical applications.