Resistor Array as a Commutator

Abstract

Being necessary components of large smart systems (including the brain), commutators can be realized on the basis of a resistor array with variable resistors. The paper considers some switching (commutating) capabilities of the resistor array. A switching graph is used to describe the work of the resistor array. This sort of graph provides a visual representation of generated high-conductivity current flow channels. A two-terminal scheme is used to generate the switching graph. In the scheme a voltage is supplies to a particular couple of poles (conductors), other poles being isolated from the power sources. Changing couples of poles makes it possible to generate a series of switching graphs. We demonstrate the possibility to create an interconnection between two or more blocks connected to the appropriate poles of the array. To do this, the resistor array must have a suitable signature (resistor directions), the applied voltage must match the signature. The series we generate are defined by not only control signals, but also the prehistory of the resistor array. Given preset resistor characteristics, the competition between graph edges plays an important role in that it contributes to the thinning of the switching graph we generate.