Arbitrary Boolean Functions of N Variables Realizable in Terms of Threshold Devices

A method is presented for the logical design of single-stage, combinatorial switching circuits of n variables. This method is applicable to circuits composed of threshold devices, such as magnetic cores, transistors with Kirchhoff adder inputs, parametrons, etc. A study of the constraints imposed by the form of the input portions of the threshold devices leads to the definition of certain classes of functions which are physically realizable in a single device. By the use of this method, arbitrary switching functions of as many as seven variables have been easily designed by hand computations.