Selective match line pre-charging in a partitioned content addressable memory array
US6243280A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C15/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Rows of a CAM array are partitioned into a plurality of row segments, with each row segment having a corresponding match line segment. A first match line segment is pre-charged to enable detection of match conditions in the associated first row segment. Subsequent match line segments are then selectively charged in response to the match conditions in the preceding row segments. In one embodiment, rows of a CAM array are partitioned into first and second row segments. A first match line segment is pre-charged to enable detection of match conditions within the associated first row segment. If there is a match condition in the first row segment, a second match line segment is charged to enable detection of match conditions in the associated second row segment. If there is a match condition in the second row segment, a match condition is indicated for the row. If there is not a match condition in the second row segment, a mismatch condition is indicated for the row. Conversely, if there is not a match condition in the first row segment, the second match line segment is not charged, thereby disabling the second match line segment. In this manner, a mismatch condition may be indicated fo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.