Content addressable memory with block select for power management
US6538911B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C7/1075
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An invention is disclosed for a content addressable memory (CAM) with a block select for power management. The CAM includes a plurality of memory blocks for storing data addressable within the CAM, and a search port in communication with the plurality of memory blocks. The search port is capable of facilitating search operations using the memory blocks. Also included in the CAM is a block select bus capable of selecting at least one specific memory block from the plurality of memory blocks. By using the block select bus, the search operations are performed using only the selected memory blocks. Similar to search operations, the block select signal or a similar signal can also be used to select specific memory blocks, wherein maintenance operations are performed using only the selected memory blocks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.