Multi-level logic circuit

Abstract

A Multi-Level Logic Circuit is described, with the hardware of the circuit capable of being constructed to operate in a chosen base. The circuit includes at least: (a) One input level detector which can receive one or more multi-level inputs, (b) Control switching means, and (c) An output level generator delivering a single multi-level output. Various logic gates operating in any base can be derived from the generalized circuit of this invention. Basic multi-level logic gates include an (n-1) complementer, where an output of (n-1-a) is generated from a discrete input 'a' where n is the base for which the circuit is constructed. A complementary maximum gate is also described in which the circuit provides the (n-1) complement of the highest logic level detected on input lines to the input level detector. Various other multi-level logic circuits can be constructed by combining the multi-level complementer, and multi-level complementary maximum gates. Circuits are also described where there are more than one input level detector or control switching means to provide binary operations on inputs to the multi-level logic circuits, e.g. addition, multiplication, in any desired base. Circuits are illustrated, constructed to operate in base 10. The multi-level logic circuit is similar to a binary circuit in that it operates on discrete logic levels. It is not an analog circuit.