Method and apparatus for performing variable word width searches in a content addressable memory
US6771525B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C15/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A content Addressable memory (CAM) for performing search operations using variable width search data, said CAM comprising a plurality of arrays of CAM cells, each coupled to a respective sub-search data bus, the sub-search buses being confined to form a main search data bus, to which is applied the search data; selector circuits receiving match line signals from respective CAM arrays, the match line signals being indicative of the results of a search and comparison formed in the associated CAM array, the selector circuit being responsive to a mode selection signal for selecting one or more of said match line output signals to be switched to a priority encoder and multiple match resolver (PE-MMR), wherein in a first mode the match line output signals are switched to said PE-MMR and in a second mode groups of match line output signals from selected arrays are switched to said PE-MMR.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.