Toshiba Corp. has produced the first functional test chip which conforms to a new integrated-circuit architecture called X, which includes interconnects using diagonal pathways as well as the traditional grid-like vertical and horizontal pathways in use today. "The X architecture can provide improvements in chip performance over the traditional grid-like Manhattan design by enabling chip designs with less wiring and fewer connectors between wiring layers, or vias, the X Initiative consortium said Tuesday in a statement." .

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