CAM match line precharge
First Claim
1. An independent match-line precharge voltage within a content addressable memory, includingan input port disposed for receiving a selected match precharge voltage substantially independent of an operating voltage of said memory;
- wherein said selected match precharge voltage provide for relatively lower power consumption of said memory when said selected match precharge voltage is substantially less than said operating voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method and system for improved CAM match line precharge, in which the amount of power consumed by match line precharge and discharge is significantly reduced. An independent match precharge voltage is introduced to the CAM, which is used to separately precharge the match line and is available for use by comparison circuits to attempt to match the input tag. The match precharge voltage is selected so as to reduce the relative power consumption for match line precharge and discharge by a factor of about five. Optionally, sense amplifiers in the comparison circuits are disposed so as to compare each discharged match line with the match precharge voltage itself.
221 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An independent match-line precharge voltage within a content addressable memory, including
an input port disposed for receiving a selected match precharge voltage substantially independent of an operating voltage of said memory; wherein said selected match precharge voltage provide for relatively lower power consumption of said memory when said selected match precharge voltage is substantially less than said operating voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An independent match line precharge voltage within a content addressable memory, including
an input port disposed for receiving a selected match precharge voltage substantially independent of an operating voltage of said memory; a set of sense amplifiers each coupled to at least one match line of said memory, each said sense amplifier being responsive to said selected match precharge voltage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An independent match-line precharge voltage within a content addressable memory, including
an input port disposed for receiving a selected match precharge voltage substantially independent of an operating voltage of said memory; -
a set of sense amplifiers each coupled to at least one match line of said memory, each said sense amplifier being responsive to said selected match precharge voltage; wherein said selected match precharge voltage provides for relatively lower power consumption of said memory when said selected match precharge voltage is substantially less than said operating voltage. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of operating a content addressable memory, said method including steps for
receiving a selected match precharge voltage substantially independent of an operating voltage of said memory; - and
consuming relatively lower power during operating of said memory responsive to said selected match precharge voltage, when said selected match precharge voltage is substantially less than said operating voltage. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of operating a content addressable memory, said method including steps for
receiving a selected match precharge voltage substantially independent of an operating voltage of said memory; - and
matching at least one match line of said memory responsive to selected match precharge voltage. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of operating a content addressable memory, said method including steps for
receiving a selected match precharge voltage substantially independent of an operating voltage of said memory; - and
matching at least one match line of said memory responsive to selected match precharge voltage; consuming relatively lower power during operating of said memory responsive to said selected match precharge voltage, when said selected match precharge voltage is substantially less than said operating voltage. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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Specification