On the completeness of transformation rules in reversible logic synthesis

2026-07-21

AI Summary

This work addresses the completeness of transformation rules in reversible logic synthesis by introducing, for the first time, a complete rewrite rule set ℛ𝒞⁺ applicable to arbitrary reversible circuits, explicitly distinguishing scenarios with and without ancilla bits and garbage outputs. A restricted subset ℛ𝒞ʳ is further derived for the ancilla- and garbage-free setting. By leveraging the algebraic structure of reversible circuits and formal reasoning, the authors rigorously prove the completeness of these rule sets, demonstrating that commonly used practical rewrite rules are sufficient to constitute a complete rewriting framework. This result establishes a foundational theoretical basis for automated optimization, template generation, and equivalence verification of reversible and quantum circuits.

Abstract

Transformation rules play a central role in reversible circuit optimization, template-based rewriting, and equivalence checking, and establishing their completeness is a fundamental problem in reversible logic synthesis. In this work, we investigate the completeness of transformation rules for reversible circuits both with and without ancillary bits and garbage outputs. For reversible circuits without ancillary bits and garbage outputs, we introduce a refined and complete transformation rule set $\mathcal{RC}^{r}$, obtained by replacing one rule in the rule set $\mathcal{RC}$ proposed in the previous work (TCAD, 45, pp. 3711--3724, 2026) with a simpler and widely adopted transformation rule. Since all rules in $\mathcal{RC}^{r}$ are commonly used in reversible logic synthesis, this result reveals that practically adopted transformation rules are already sufficient to establish a complete rewriting framework. Based on this result, we further propose an extended rule set, denoted by $\mathcal{RC}^+$, and prove its completeness for reversible circuits with ancillary bits and garbage outputs. To the best of our knowledge, this work presents the first complete transformation rule set for arbitrary reversible circuits, regardless of whether ancillary bits or garbage outputs are employed. The proposed framework establishes a theoretical foundation for circuit optimization, template generation, and equivalence checking, and may facilitate the development of automated design tools for reversible and quantum circuits.

Problem

• reversible logic synthesis
• transformation rules
• completeness
• ancillary bits
• garbage outputs

Innovation

• reversible logic synthesis
• completeness
• transformation rules
• ancillary bits
• garbage outputs