Circuit and method for performing variable width searches in a content addressable memory
US6708250B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C15/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A content addressable memory (CAM) for generating intermediate search results in a search on a stored data word sequence. The CAM comprises a plurality of rows of CAM cells each for storing a data word in the data word sequence; a plurality of match lines each coupled to a corresponding row of CAM cells, each for generating a corresponding match line signal. A priority encoder is coupled to the match line for generating a match address in response to a match line signal; and a plurality of logic circuits, each coupled to corresponding match lines for selectively coupling the match line signal to the priority encoder in response to an instruction signal, the instruction signal for instructing the CAM to generate a match address output on a new search or on a continuation of a previous search, such that portions of the data word sequence occurring at any intermediate location within the sequence provides match results in response to input search data which are equivalent to portions of the stored data word sequence.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.