Edward J. McCluskey

principal papers
Logic Design Principles, Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1986.
"Reliable Digital Systems and Related Stanford University Research," The Evolution of Fault-Tolerant Computing, Springer-Verlag Wien, Austria.
Design of Digital Computers, Springer-Verlag, New York, New York, 1975. (with H.W. Gschwind)
Introduction to the Theory of Switching Circuits, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, New York, 1965.
A Survey of Switching Circuit Theory, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, New York, 1962. (with T.C. Bartee)

hardware

software

see also

related subjects

keywords
logics, cicuits, crc

The Quine-McCluskey method that he developed as a doctoral student at MIT is used for designing circuits in every computer and electronic system.
This started of the field of logic synthesis (automatic techniques for designing logic circuits).
McCluskey is also called the father of computer engineering in the sense that he started the field of computer engineering as a separate branch of engineering.
McCluskey developed techniques that are used today to test integrated circuits to make sure that they meet quality requirements -- his techniques are also used for designing fault-tolerant systems (systems that can work even in the presence of failures).

Biography

McCluskey developed the first algorithm for designing combinational circuits - the Quine-McCluskey logic minimization procedure as a doctoral student at MIT.
At Bell Labs and Princeton, he developed the modern theory of transients (hazards) in logic networks and formulated the concept of operating modes of sequential circuits.
His Stanford research focuses on logic testing, synthesis, design for testability, and fault-tolerant computing. Prof. McCluskey and his students at the Center for Reliable Computing worked out many key ideas for fault equivalence, probablilistic modelling of logic networks, pseudo-exhaustive testing, and watchdog processors.
He collaborated with Signetics researchers in developing one of the first practical multivalued logic implementations and then worked out a design technique for such circuitry.

Chronology

1953 B.S. and M.S. (E.E) M.I.T.

1953 A.B. (Physics, Math), Summa Cum Laude, Bowdoin College.

1956 Sc.D. (E.E.) M.I.T.

1955-1959
Technical Staff, Electronic Telephone Office Design, Bell Telephone Laboratories

1959-1963
Moved to Princeton University, where he was associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of the University Computer Center.

1960
IBM: Summer Faculty Fellow,

1961
MIT Lincoln Laboratory: Summer Faculty Fellow,

1961-1966
Director of Computer Center, Princeton University

1963-1967
Professor of Electrical Engineering,Princeton University

1966
RCA Sarnoff Research Center:Summer Faculty Fellow,

1966-1967
Stanford University: Visiting Professor of Elect. Eng. and Computer Science,

1966 - present
Joined Stanford University, where he is Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, as well as Director of the Center for Reliable Computing.

1969
Founded the Stanford Digital Systems Laboratory (now the Computer Systems Laboratory)

1970
Founded Stanford Computer Engineering Program (now the Computer Science MS Degree Program). The Stanford Computer Forum (an Industrial Affiliates Program) was started by Dr. McCluskey and two colleagues and he was its Director until 1978.

1976 - present
Director Center for Reliable Computing,Stanford University

1978
Tokyo and Kyoto Universities: JSPS Fellowship - temp.

1979
IBM T.J. Watson Research Center: Distinguished Visiting Faculty,

1980
DEC Summer Faculty Fellow,

1991
University of Illinois: H. Earle Thompson Distinguished Professor, March-May,

Honors and awards

1949 Bowdoin College Smythe Mathematics Prize
1984 IEEE Computer Society Technical Achievement Award in Testing
1984 IEEE Centennial Medal
1990 ACM Annual Award for Computer Science Education
1990 EURO ASIC 90 Prize for Fundamental Outstanding Contribution to Logic Synthesis.
1991 IEEE Computer Society Taylor L. Booth Education Award
1994 Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, Doctor Honoris Causa
1996 IEEE Computer Society Golden Core Member
1998 National Academy of Engineering for logic design, computer engineering and engineering education.
1998 Stanford University School of Engineering Dean's Award for Academic Excellence
1996 IEEE Emanuel R. Piore Award for pioneering and fundamental contributions to design automation fault tolerant computing.
1999 IEEE VTS Best Panel Award

Honor Societies: Phi Beta Kappa Sigma Xi, Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi

He is a Fellow of the IEEE, AAAS, and ACM; and a member of the NAE.
McCluskey was the first president of IEEE Computer Society