High storage capacity associative memory
First Claim
1. An associative memory device capable of both conventional operation and associative operation, comprising:
- a memory array, including first means for searching the data in the memory associatively to match words in accordance with a given search pattern;
second means coupled to the memory array for accessing said memory array by physical location;
third means coupled to the memory array for loading data into said memory array and reading data from said memory array when the memory device is enabled for conventional operation, and for providing a search pattern and a masking signal to said memory array and for accessing matched words in said memory array when the memory device is enabled for associative operation;
a plurality of match detect circuit means coupled to the memory array, one for each word location in said memory array, said plurality of match detect means for providing an output signal associated with the location of the first match in said memory array means; and
fourth means coupled to said match detect circuit means for determining the physical location in said memory array containing said first match.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An associative memory having a large storage capacity which also has the capability of being used as a conventional memory, i.e. accessed by physical location. A memory array (11) is accessed in conventional fashion by an address decoder (15). A mask/data drive circuit (13) controls the loading/reading of the memory array (11) when the device is in a conventional mode, and operates on the same pins to provide mask and search data when the drive is in the associative mode. In the associative mode, a plurality of match detect (17) circuits, one for each word location in memory (11), receive the output signals from the memory array (11). The match detect circuits (17) prioritize the output match signals from memory (11) and provide an output indicating the first or lowest word in memory (11) having a match. An address encoder (19) is responsive to the prioritized match output (if any) from the match detect circuits (17) to determine the physical location in memory (11) containing the matched word.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An associative memory device capable of both conventional operation and associative operation, comprising:
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a memory array, including first means for searching the data in the memory associatively to match words in accordance with a given search pattern; second means coupled to the memory array for accessing said memory array by physical location; third means coupled to the memory array for loading data into said memory array and reading data from said memory array when the memory device is enabled for conventional operation, and for providing a search pattern and a masking signal to said memory array and for accessing matched words in said memory array when the memory device is enabled for associative operation; a plurality of match detect circuit means coupled to the memory array, one for each word location in said memory array, said plurality of match detect means for providing an output signal associated with the location of the first match in said memory array means; and fourth means coupled to said match detect circuit means for determining the physical location in said memory array containing said first match. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An associative memory, comprising:
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an associative memory array, including first means for searching the data in the memory associatively for matching words in accordance with a given search pattern; second means coupled to the memory array for providing a search pattern and a masking signal to said memory array and for accessing matched words in said memory array; a plurality of match detect circuit means, one for each word location in said memory array, said plurality of match detect circuit means for providing an output signal associated with the location of the first match in said memory array means; and third means coupled to said match detect circuit means for determining the physical location in said memory array containing said first match. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification