Physical Aspects of Logical Devices

Logic devices affect system design in many ways in addition to implementing the desired logic functions. With the high-speed circuits available today, the system designer must pay careful attention to the implications of the logic devices on signal interconnections, packaging and cooling as well as power generation and distribution. Wire is no longer a resistive element in the circuit; it may have significant capacitive and inductive properties at the frequencies of use. This paper considers how many of these factors are related and presents some of the approaches being made to solve these problems.