A cell matrix is different from other programmable devices in that it has the ability to self configure. This means that the circuits within the matrix are able to modify other circuits within the same matrix. Moreover, there is no pre-existing distinction between cells which are modified and those which control the modification (see dual function). This property, called self-duality, is key to the most powerful applications of the cell matrix. This self configurability means that circuits within the cell matrix can autonomously construct new circuits within the matrix. Already-configured cells can be analyzed and used to provide appropriate truth tables for other cells. This makes possible some rather unique circuits within the cell matrix, such as a cell replicator (shown to the right) which reads the truth table from a source cell, and loads it into a destination cell, thereby replicating the functionality of the source cell in the destination cell.
Collections of such replicators can be used to build a cell library (shown to the right), which allows a destination cell to be configured in one of a number of ways, depending on a function select bus. Cell libraries can be used to construct complete circuits, by taking advantage of the self-duality of cells. other features . core