Now that I've met my first milestone; the documented implementation of all 27 monadic gates, it's time to move on. Obviously the next step are the familiar, and some not so familiar 2-input gates. This will not be a comprehensive listing since there are 19,683 two-input ternary gates compared to the measly 16 two-input binary gates.

However, in working them out on paper (really, with a pen and stuff) I have come to the realization that even my space-saving comparators are just too bulky for the task. For example, a 1-trit multiplication circuit would require 8 comparators, meaning 4 LM319's. That would take up an entire breadboard when you add in the power circuitry. Or how about the circuit to handle the carry trit in a ternary adder? Thats 13 LM319's... just for the carry trit. [Edit: These estimates were hopelessly naive. Since writing this log entry I have worked out much more efficient versions... at least on paper].

While I do still intend to build up implementations of the simpler 2-input gates like AND, OR, NAND, and NOR using LM319's, I am now officially looking for denser solutions. At this point I am looking for parts that will either replace or simulate my comparators. Some ideas I've had so far:

-Cypress PSoC's. They have configurable analog circuitry, part of which is a collection of comparators and Op Amps. Would have to buy Windows. ::Sigh::

-Power monitoring chips from Linear. They have a few chips that monitor different voltage inputs and you program them to activate and deactivate output pins based on the voltages they are monitoring. This could effectively simulate a collection of comparators. Unfortunately, they are surface mount and something like $20 per chip.

-Anadigm field programmable analog arrays. Probably the best possible solution from a technical viewpoint... but it's $200 for a dev board and I would have to buy a copy of Windows.

-Configurable or programmable comparator arrays. Does such a thing even exist?

-Just saying F$#&-it and using pins on a micro to simulate the behavior of ternary gates. Not elegant, and I'd probably get accused of cheating, but it may come down to that. I hate the idea that I would be just simulating a true ternary system... but what are you gonna do?

-Busting out Design Workshop 2000 and laying down the masks to send to a foundry. Oh yeah, and paying them a few mil in the process.

I'm officially asking for suggestions.