Automated free entry management for content-addressable memory using virtual page pre-fetch
US6687786B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/023
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of managing free entries in a CAM using virtual page pre-fetch is defined. The memory locations in a CAM are partitioned into multiple virtual pages (VP). The allocation of memory location to VPs is independent of the physical address of the location. The address of an empty location (free entry) from each VP is pre-fetched and is maintained in a free entry list. Consecutive write operations are scheduled in different VPs to avoid a back-to-back write in the same VP which eliminates resource contention. When data is retrieved from a location in the CAM, that location becomes available for next write. Because the allocation of a location to VPs is independent of the physical address of the location, when the location becomes available, a new VP assignment is made for that location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.