Reconfigurable Arrays of Transistors for Evolvable Hardware

Very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits containing electronically reconfigurable arrays of transistors have been proposed as means to implement a forthcoming generation of a special class of digital/analog electronic circuits. The class in question is a subclass of advanced electronic and other equipment of a type called "evolvable hardware" (EHW). The major distinguishing feature of EHW is that under the direction of genetic and/or other evolutionary algorithms, its configuration and thus its functionality can be made to evolve until it exhibits a desired behavior or adapts to the environment in a prescribed way. An EHW system is said to be extrinsic if its evolution is directed and evaluated by a computer or other external system. An EHW system is said to be intrinsic if it includes an electronic or other subsystem that automatically directs and evaluates its evolution.