Quantum device model based super pass gate for multiple-valued digital systems

The investigation of the device functions required from the systems point of view is important for the development of the next generation of VLSI devices and systems. A super pass transistor (SPT) model is presented as a quantum device candidate for future multiple-valued VLSI systems. Since it has the powerful capability of multiple-signal-level detection, the SPT will be useful for implementing highly compact multiple-valued VLSI systems. To efficiently exploit the functionality of the SPT, a super pass gate (SP-gate) corresponding to a single SPT is proposed as a multiple-valued universal logic module. Mathematical properties of the SP-gate and a method for designing SP-gate networks are described. An application of SP-gates to a multiple-valued image processing system is also demonstrated.