Fundamental performance limit of integrated systems

The performance limits of integrated digital systems in terms of the functional throughput have been evaluated using the uncertainty principle and the thermal limit. Parallel processing capability and the limited power dissipation for each system were used as parameters. It is shown that, while the operation is limited by the uncertainty principle, the maximum obtainable functional throughput increases by increasing the degree of parallel processing through increasing the switching time of elemental switches to reduce their switching power It is also shown that, while the operation is thermally limited, the expected maximum functional throughput is independent of switching speed so long as sufficient parallel processings is realized.