NanoMagnet Logic: An Architectural Level Overview

Abstract

In recent years Field-Coupled devices, like Quantum dot Cellular Automata, are gaining an ever increasing attention from the scientific community. The computational paradigm beyond this device topology is based on the interaction among neighbor cells to propagate information through circuits. Among the various implementations of this theoretical principle, NanoMagnet Logic (NML) is one the most studied, due to some interesting features, like the possibility to combine memory and logic in the same device and the possible low power consumption. Since the working principle of Field-Coupled devices is completely different from CMOS technology, it is important to understand all the implications that this new computational paradigm has on complex circuit architectures. In this chapter we deeply analyze the major issues encountered in the design of complex circuits using Field-Coupled devices. Problems are analyzed and techniques to solve them and to improve performance are presented. Finally, a realistic analysis of the applications best suited for this technology is presented. While the analysis is performed using Nano-Magnet Logic as target, the results can be applied to all Field-Coupled devices. This chapter therefore supplies researchers and designers with the essential guidelines necessary to design complex circuits using Nano-Magnet Logic and, more in general, Field-Coupled devices.

Domain Magnet Logic (DML): A new approach to magnetic circuits

“…From our architectural analysis [19], it is clear that logic gates in NML technology are very compact. Interconnections instead lead to a huge wasted area.…”

“…This clock zones layout is chosen because it has several advantages. It is compatible with up to date fabrication processes [2] and it automatically solves all the issues related to signals synchronization [19]. However, technological constraints on the clock wires and theoretical constraints on the number of magnets for each clock zones, have a serious impact on circuit layout.…”

Design and Analysis of Majority Logic-Based Approximate Adders and Multipliers

“…As CMOS is approaching its technology limitations, emerging nanotechnologies have been proposed at the end of the so-called Moore's Law, such as Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) [8][9], nanomagnetic logic (NML) [10], and spin-wave devices (SWD) [11]. All of these technologies rely on majority logic (ML) as digital design framework; this is different from conventional Boolean logic.…”

Design of a multilayer five‐input majority gate and adder/subtractor circuits in NML computing

“…Cells in the HOLD phase maintain their current logic state for the duration of the phase. More information on the clocking system and NML computing can be found in [1, 2].…”

“…Nanomagnetic logic (NML) is based around nano‐scale magnetic cells [1]. The magnetic polarisation of each cell determines if the cell can be considered logic 0 or logic 1.…”