Depth of functions of the k-valued logic in infinite bases

Abstract

The realization of functions of the k-valued logic by circuits is considered over an arbitrary infinite complete basis B. The Shannon function D _B (n) of the circuit depth over B is examined (for any positive integer n the value D _B (n) is the minimal depth sufficient to realize every function of the k-valued logic of n variables by a circuit over B). It is shown that for each fixed k ≥ 2 and for any infinite complete basis B either there exists a constant α ≥ 1 such that D _B (n) = α for all sufficiently large n, or there exist constants β (β > 0), γ, δ such that βlog₂ n ≤ D _B (n) ≤ γlog₂ n + δ for all n.