On the design of quaternary arithmetic logic unit based on CNTFETs

A new approach for designing a quaternary arithmetic logic unit (ALU) based on carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) is presented in this paper. The proposed design performs basic arithmetic and logic functions and is extendable to perform additional functions (both arithmetic and logic functions). Efficient circuit-level optimisation techniques such as data gating are used to reduce the power consumption and enhance the performance of the proposed design. In addition, the unique properties of CNTFETs such as adjusting the threshold voltages of CNTFETs by tuning the CNTs diameters are utilised for designing a quaternary ALU. The proposed design is simulated and examined in different conditions and in the presence of major process variations using the Synopsys HSPICE simulator with Stanford 32nm CNTFET technology.