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A thermodynamically consistent model of finite state machines

Chu, Dominique, Spinney, Richard E. (2018) A thermodynamically consistent model of finite state machines. Journal of the Royal Society Interface Focus, 8 (6). Article Number 20180037. ISSN 2042-8898. E-ISSN 2042-8898. (doi:10.1098/rsfs.2018.0037) (KAR id:69136)

Abstract

Finite state machines (FSMs) are a theoretically and practically important model of computation. We propose a general, thermodynamically consistent model of FSMs and characterise the resource requirements of these machines. We model FSMs as time-inhomogeneous Markov chains. The computation is driven by instantaneous manipulations of the energy levels of the states. We calculate the entropy production of the machine, its error probability, and the time required to complete one update step. We find that a sequence of generalised bit-setting operations is sufficient to implement any FSM.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1098/rsfs.2018.0037
Uncontrolled keywords: finite state machines, thermodynamics of computation, energy consumption of computers
Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Computing
Depositing User: Dominique Chu
Date Deposited: 18 Sep 2018 07:45 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 17:56 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/69136 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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