System and method for hiding refresh cycles in a dynamic type content addressable memory
US6671218B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C15/043
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method is disclosed for simultaneously searching and refreshing a memory array of a dynamic content addressable memory (DCAM). According to the disclosed invention, the information stored in a row of DCAM cells being refreshed is transferred from the memory array into sense amplifiers, during a read phase of a refresh operation. A search for a matching entry can then be performed, with respect to the information that is transferred to the sense amplifiers. To determine if there is a match, search information is simultaneously compared to the information that has been transferred to the sense amplifiers and to the information that is stored in other rows of DCAM cells of said memory array. Finally, the refresh of that row is completed by restoring the information from the sense amplifiers to that row of DCAM cells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.