On input read-modes of alternating Turing machines

AbstractA number of input read-modes of Turing machines have appeared in the literature. To investigate the differences among these input read-modes, we study log-time alternating Turing machines of constant alternations. For each fixed integer k ⩾ 1 and for each read-mode, a precise circuit characterization is established for log-time alternating Turing machines of k alternations, which is a nontrivial refinement of Ruzzo's circuit characterization of alternating Turing machines. These circuit characterizations indicate clearly the differences among the input read-modes. Complete languages in strong sense for each level of the log-time hierarchy are presented, refining a result by Buss. An application of these results to computational optimization problems is described

Circuit Bottom Fan-in and Computational Power

We investigate the relationship between circuit bottom fan-in and circuit size when circuit depth is xed. We show that in order to compute certain functions, a moderate reduction in circuit bottom fan-in will cause signi cant increase in circuit size. In particular, we prove that there are functions that are computable by circuits of linear size and depth k with bottom fan-in 2 but require exponential size for circuits of depth k with bottom fan-in 1. A general scheme is established to study the trade-o between circuit bottom fan-in and circuit size. Based on this scheme, we are able to prove, for example, that for any integer c, there are functions that are computable by circuits of linear size and depth k with bottom fan-in O(log n) but require exponential size for circuits of depth k with bottom fan-in c, and that for any constant> 0, there are functions that are computable by circuits of linear size and depth k with bottom fan-in log n but require superpolynomial size for circuits of depth k with bottom fan-in O(log 1; n). A consequence of these results is that the three input read-modes of alternating Turing machines proposed in the literature are all distinct