Ternary computing resurfaces: 6-decade-old alternative could rewrite tech

For decades, the digital world has relied on the binary system – 0s and 1s. But a forgotten alternative, once championed by Soviet scientists, is back. A team led by Claudio Lorenzo La Rosa has successfully built a functional ternary processor, the 5500FP, reigniting a debate about the fundamental building blocks of computation.

A new state: ternary vs. binary

The 5500FP marks the first general-purpose ternary chip in six decades. Unlike the binary system, which uses bits representing only two states, the ternary system employs 'trits,' each capable of representing –1, 0, or +1. This seemingly minor alteration unlocks significant advantages, particularly in handling negative numbers.

Binary requires an extra bit to denote negativity, complicating arithmetic operations. Ternary, by simply inverting the trits, streamlines these calculations.

Donald Knuth, a renowned computer science pioneer, long lauded ternary as the most elegant number system. Yet, the industry largely abandoned it in the 1960s.

The setun: a flash of ternary's past

In 1958, the University of Moscow unveiled the Setun, the first working ternary computer. It proved the theory's viability, but the prevailing trend favored binary. The reason? Existing investments in binary-based transistor and logic gate Technology created a formidable barrier to entry.

The shift wasn't due to ternary's inferiority, but rather a pragmatic decision dictated by the technological landscape of the time. The industry chose the path of least resistance.

The 5500FP isn’t poised to supplant current processors. However, it demonstrates that the idea remains valid. The 5500FP is a 24-trit RISC processor operating at 20 MHz, built on an open-source FPGA. Its design cleverly simulates ternary logic using binary components, a practical compromise.

A path forward: from research to reality

La Rosa's long-term goal is to transition the FPGA design to silicon, a move that could unlock significantly higher frequencies and fully exploit ternary's theoretical advantages. While 20 MHz pales in comparison to modern processors operating at gigahertz speeds, the significance lies in the proof of concept. The 5500FP’s architecture opens doors for exploring computational approaches, such as signal processing and certain AI methodologies, that remain largely unexplored due to the absence of hardware.

The decision to favor binary wasn't based on technical superiority, but on the existing infrastructure. This distinction is crucial.

The 5500FP doesn't signal the end of binary dominance, but it expands the possibilities of what can be created. The cost of the prototype is a significant factor: approximately $50,000, a figure that would likely deter large corporations from immediate adoption.

This development isn't about replacing existing Technology; it’s about revealing that the digital realm isn’t confined to the binary paradigm.

The 5500FP represents more than just a new chip. It's a testament to the enduring power of theoretical exploration, and a reminder that the technological future isn't predetermined.

The implications of a truly scalable ternary system, however distant, are profound—a paradigm shift that could reshape the very foundations of computation.