Novel memory designs for QCA implementation

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) provides a new functional paradigm for information processing and communication. The main feature of this technology is the so-called processing-in-wire mechanism by which data movement and manipulation are strictly integrated. In this context, the design of memory devices is particularly challenging and interesting because the conventional storage arrangements applicable to CMOS based memories cannot be applied and innovative approaches must be used. This paper analyzes state-of-the art designs for QCA memories and proposes three new architectures that improve over past approaches different figures of merit.