History and Development of Reversible Architecture

Abstract

Reversible computing is the paradigm in which every computation is physically and easily reversible in an unambiguous way. For a reversible machine, this would apply to programs, gates, memory, and everything in between. The main motivation for pursuing research in reversible computing is the possibilities it offers in reducing amounts of energy lost to heat in conventional computers. Since conventional designs are currently restricted by physical relations of heat and space, reversible computing is one approach to allow for more compact and powerful computers. This literature review aims to outline key developments in the architectural component of designs in reversible computing, focusing on gates, memory, and arithmetic.