The Prospects for Multivalued Logic: A Technology and Applications View

Advances in multiple-valued logic (MVL) have been inspired, in large part, by advances in integrated circuit technology. Multiple-valued logic has matured to the point where four-valued logic is now part of commercially available VLSI IC's. Besides reduction in chip area, MVL offers other benefits such as the potential for circuit test. This paper describes the historical and technical background of MVL, and areas of present and future application. It is intended, as well, to serve as a tutorial for the nonspecialist.