Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Sarah Frost, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-2025
Abstract
This research addresses the critical challenge of sustaining advancements in computational performance and energy efficiency in the wake of Moore’s law reaching its physical limits.
Since computer systems face increasing demands driven by data-intensive applications such as artificial intelligence workloads, alternative nanoscale design paradigms are essential. This study discusses Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) as a potential post-CMOS technology, offering a different approach to circuit design based on quantum dot arrangements and electron interactions governed by Coulomb repulsion. The investigation begins with a foundational understanding of QCA’s building blocks, including cell architecture, binary encoding mechanisms, and majority gate logic. To illustrate QCA’s practical potential, three to several core circuit designs— explored and analyzed. These designs serve to demonstrate how QCA-based systems may replicate or surpass the functionality of traditional silicon-based architectures. The study focuses on evaluating QCA through key performance metrics: speed, power consumption, and spatial density. By comparing these metrics against the limitations imposed by classical CMOS scaling, this research aims to assess the viability of QCA in addressing critical bottlenecks in modern computing systems. Ultimately, this work contributes to the exploration of novel design paradigms capable of enabling future generations of high-performance, low-power computing architectures beyond the capabilities of conventional silicon technologies.
Introduction to Circuit Design and Architecture for Emerging Nanoscale Technologies
This research addresses the critical challenge of sustaining advancements in computational performance and energy efficiency in the wake of Moore’s law reaching its physical limits.
Since computer systems face increasing demands driven by data-intensive applications such as artificial intelligence workloads, alternative nanoscale design paradigms are essential. This study discusses Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) as a potential post-CMOS technology, offering a different approach to circuit design based on quantum dot arrangements and electron interactions governed by Coulomb repulsion. The investigation begins with a foundational understanding of QCA’s building blocks, including cell architecture, binary encoding mechanisms, and majority gate logic. To illustrate QCA’s practical potential, three to several core circuit designs— explored and analyzed. These designs serve to demonstrate how QCA-based systems may replicate or surpass the functionality of traditional silicon-based architectures. The study focuses on evaluating QCA through key performance metrics: speed, power consumption, and spatial density. By comparing these metrics against the limitations imposed by classical CMOS scaling, this research aims to assess the viability of QCA in addressing critical bottlenecks in modern computing systems. Ultimately, this work contributes to the exploration of novel design paradigms capable of enabling future generations of high-performance, low-power computing architectures beyond the capabilities of conventional silicon technologies.