System and circuit aspects of nanoelectronics

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of nano-scale technology on future circuit design and describes several prototypes of logic and memory applications. Resonant tunneling transistors, single electron transistors, and quantum cellular automata are reviewed as relevant nanoelectronic device categories. In regard to the limited interconnectivity and the sensitivity of the devices to parameter variations we discuss bit level systolic arrays, a propagate instruction array processor, and fault tolerant logic. Furthermore, functional integration, that is the possibility of exploiting quantum effects to obtain a function specific behavior, is illustrated as design technique by compact memory cells and logic families with reduced circuit complexity.