The crossbar latch: Logic value storage, restoration, and inversion in crossbar circuits

Programmable crossbar circuits are one key architecture proposed for integrated nanoscale electronics. Emphasizing practicality of fabrication, many scenarios advocate crossbar circuits based on two-terminal devices. In this case, however, signal restoration and inversion remain critical weaknesses. Restoration is essential before the degraded output of one logic gate can drive the input of a subsequent logic gate. Inversion is required to generate a complete logic family. Here we describe and demonstrate a solution to both problems, the crossbar latch. This device stores a logic value on a signal wire, enabling logic value restoration, and inversion. In combination with resistor/diode logic gates, these operations in principle enable universal computing for crossbar circuits, and potentially, integrated nanoscale electronics. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.