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{{Glossary}}
{{Glossary}}
A '''unit cell''' is a subset (usually rectangular or square) of the Life plane that tiles over the plane, with each tile assuming one of a number of states (distinct patterns), which simulates a [[cellular automaton]], possibly itself. A '''unit Life cell''' is a unit cell that simulates the [[Conway's Game of Life|Game of Life]]. To avoid single [[cell]]s themselves being considered unit cells, a unit cell must be greater than 1x1.
A '''unit cell''' is a subset (usually rectangular or square) of the Life plane that tiles over the plane, along with a fixed number of distinct patterns, with each tile assuming one of the patterns, such that it simulates a [[cellular automaton]], possibly itself. A '''unit Life cell''' is a unit cell that simulates the [[Conway's Game of Life|Game of Life]]. To avoid single [[cell]]s themselves being considered unit cells, a unit cell must be greater than 1x1.


The first unit Life cell was constructed by [[:Category:Patterns found by David Bell|David Bell]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radicaleye.com/lifepage/patterns/unitcell/ucdesc.html|title=The Unit Life Cell|author=Paul Callahan|date=March 1, 1996}}</ref> It employs standard glider logic to determine whether or not a [[glider]] should be present. The two states differ by a single glider. In 2004, Jared Prince modified David Bell's unit Life cell to support two (and therefore multiple) layers of Life universes, coined "Deep Cell".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=45061|title=Game of Life Deep Cell|author=Jared Prince|date=September 27, 2004}}</ref>
The first unit Life cell was constructed by [[:Category:Patterns found by David Bell|David Bell]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radicaleye.com/lifepage/patterns/unitcell/ucdesc.html|title=The Unit Life Cell|author=Paul Callahan|date=March 1, 1996}}</ref> It employs standard glider logic to determine whether or not a [[glider]] should be present. The two states differ by a single glider. In 2004, Jared Prince modified David Bell's unit Life cell to support two (and therefore multiple) layers of Life universes, coined "Deep Cell".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=45061|title=Game of Life Deep Cell|author=Jared Prince|date=September 27, 2004}}</ref>


More recently, a unit cell was constructed that simulates any [[Life-like cellular automaton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://otcametapixel.blogspot.com/|title=OTCAmetapixel}}</ref>
More recently, a unit cell was constructed that simulates any [[Life-like cellular automaton]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://otcametapixel.blogspot.com/|title=OTCAmetapixel}}</ref>. Designed to run quickly in [[HashLife]], it has the advantage of having two states that are clearly distinct when zoomed out.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 08:38, 27 March 2009

A unit cell is a subset (usually rectangular or square) of the Life plane that tiles over the plane, along with a fixed number of distinct patterns, with each tile assuming one of the patterns, such that it simulates a cellular automaton, possibly itself. A unit Life cell is a unit cell that simulates the Game of Life. To avoid single cells themselves being considered unit cells, a unit cell must be greater than 1x1.

The first unit Life cell was constructed by David Bell in 1996.[1] It employs standard glider logic to determine whether or not a glider should be present. The two states differ by a single glider. In 2004, Jared Prince modified David Bell's unit Life cell to support two (and therefore multiple) layers of Life universes, coined "Deep Cell".[2]

More recently, a unit cell was constructed that simulates any Life-like cellular automaton [3]. Designed to run quickly in HashLife, it has the advantage of having two states that are clearly distinct when zoomed out.

References

  1. ↑ Paul Callahan (March 1, 1996). "The Unit Life Cell".
  2. ↑ Jared Prince (September 27, 2004). "Game of Life Deep Cell".
  3. ↑ "OTCAmetapixel".