On defect-tolerance in cellular computers

Defects will be a major problem for manufacturing computers by nanotechnology. This paper explores this issue for nanocomputers based on cellular arrays. Known for their regular structure, such architectures promise cost-effective manufacturing based on molecular self-organization. We show a self-contained way to detect defects in a cellular array, and to configure circuits on its cells while avoiding the defects. Timing is assumed asynchronous, i.e., updating of cells is not controlled by a clock.