Memristive logic: A framework for evaluation and comparison

Memristors have extended their influence beyond memory to logic and in-memory computing. Memristive logic design, the methodology of designing logic circuits using memristors, is an emerging concept whose growth is fueled by the quest for energy efficient computing systems. As a result, many memristive logic families have evolved with different attributes, and a mature comparison among them is needed to judge their merit. This paper presents a framework for comparing logic families by classifying them on the basis of fundamental properties such as statefulness, proximity (from the memory array), and flexibility of computation. We propose metrics to compare memristive logic families using analytic expressions for performance (latency), energy efficiency, and area. Then, we provide guidelines for a holistic comparison of logic families and set the stage for the evolution of new logic families.