Unit cell

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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 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].

References

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

Unit Life cell at the Life Lexicon.