Deep In Tech #6 - Ternary Computing Explained
Oct 6, 2025
Explore the fascinating world of ternary computing, once pioneered by the USSR. Discover how the Setun computer utilized three-state logic, offering unique advantages over binary systems. Dive into Huawei's new patent that claims significant efficiency gains with ternary gates and dual-threshold transistors. This technology could revolutionize AI by reducing energy consumption in data centers. Delve into the challenges of implementing ternary logic amidst current digital practices and the exciting potential of materials like graphene and carbon nanotubes.
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Soviet Ternary Gamble
- Nikolai Brusenzov and Sergey Sobolev built Setun, the world's first working ternary computer in the late 1950s.
- Setun used fewer parts and cost at least ten times less than contemporary binary machines, but production stopped due to lack of scale and political will.
Trits Make Arithmetic Simpler
- A ternary trit holds three values so math and negative numbers can be represented more naturally than in binary.
- This reduces instruction counts and simplifies circuits for some arithmetic tasks.
Use Ternary Where Energy Dominates
- Consider three-state logic for high-efficiency workloads like AI where energy matters most.
- Evaluate ternary designs for data centers to potentially cut power and increase throughput.