Method and apparatus for implementing a learn instruction in a content addressable memory device
First Claim
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1. A method of updating a synchronous CAM device, comprising:
- instructing the CAM device to compare comparand data with data stored in a CAM array in the CAM device;
writing the comparand data as invalid data to a location in the CAM array;
comparing the comparand data with valid data stored in the CAM array; and
subsequently validating the comparand data written into the CAM array if the comparand data does not match the valid data stored in the CAM array.
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Abstract
A content address memory (CAM) device that implements a “LEARN” instruction. In response to the LEARN instruction, the CAM device compares comparand data with data stored in a CAM array of the CAM device. If a match is not found, the comparand data is written into the CAM array. For one example, the comparand data is written to the next free address of the CAM array. The learn instruction may further cause the CAM device to output the next free address after the comparand data has been written into the CAM array. For one embodiment, the learn instruction may be implemented in a single clock cycle.
132 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of updating a synchronous CAM device, comprising:
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instructing the CAM device to compare comparand data with data stored in a CAM array in the CAM device;
writing the comparand data as invalid data to a location in the CAM array;
comparing the comparand data with valid data stored in the CAM array; and
subsequently validating the comparand data written into the CAM array if the comparand data does not match the valid data stored in the CAM array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of updating a content addressable memory (CAM) device comprising:
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providing an instruction to an instruction decoder within the CAM device;
decoding the single instruction and in response thereto;
comparing comparand data with data stored in a CAM array in the CAM device; and
writing the comparand data to a location in the CAM array. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A content addressable memory (CAM) device comprising:
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a CAM array having a plurality of CAM cells for storing data;
an input for receiving comparand data; and
an instruction decoder coupled to the CAM array and configured to receive and decode an instruction instructing the CAM device to compare the comparand data with the data stored in the CAM array and write the comparand data into an available location in the CAM array if there is no match. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A content address memory (CAM) device comprising:
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a CAM array having a plurality of CAM cells for storing data and comparing valid data with comparand data;
means for decoding an instruction instructing the device to compare the comparand data with data stored in the CAM array;
means for writing the comparand data into the CAM array as invalid data; and
means for validating the comparand data in the CAM array when there is no match between the comparand data and the data stored in the CAM array. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification