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From: rbennet1@gara.une.oz.au (Robert Bennetts)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: ECL logic computers ?
Message-ID: <7183@gara.une.oz.au>
Date: 26 Jun 91 14:21:46 GMT
Organization: University of New England, Armidale, Australia
Lines: 26

Hi,
    can anybody out there tell me why ECL logic is not used to construct
computers (to my knowledge anyway) considering the quite fast speeds it can
run at.I know it uses more power than CMOS logic, and has a smaller distinction
between logic high and low, and has a few other disadvantages.But doesn't it
also have the capability of running at 400 to 500 MHz.If the disadvantages 
could be overcome, would a computer using this logic be able to run much faster
than a computer using CMOS logic, given the equivalent chip design.

    For example, if you re-designed an Intel 8086 or something using ECL logic
gates.Would this chip now be able to run at 400 to 500 MHz.I know such a chip
would be bigger in physical size than the original, because of lower gate 
density with ECL (one of the other disadvantages I mentioned), but if it could
run at the above speed, wouldn't it be worth the effort.  

P.S. Try not to flame me if this concept is rediculous, I am only a student 
     and the idea came to me in a lecture.

               
                                                    Robert Bennetts.
                                                 -> rbennet1@gara.une.oz.au
                                                    OR 
                                                    rbennet1@neumann.une.oz.au
                                                    OR 
                                                    rbennett@loki.une.oz.au