Minimization by the D Algorithm

Programmed logic arrays [1], [2] are common in computer design. A form of this method of design has been used since the beginnings of computers, in telephone relay networks [3]. Optimization of such realizations of functions were begun by Karnaugh [4], Quine [5], McCluskey [6], and Roth [7]. Substantial use was made of such programs by Preiss [8] and Perlman [9]. Despite the existence of exact procedures, “fast,” “approximate” procedures have been widely used. A new approximate procedure, using the D algorithm [1], [10], [11] is introduced here. It gets around a large computation, in complementation, using prior methods. Running programs “verify” this expectation. Copyright © 1986 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.