The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 16, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
Fred J. Towler, Essex, VT (US);
Reid A. Wistort, Westford, VT (US);
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 1/500 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G11C 1/500 ;
Abstract
A Match-Detection Circuit and Match-Detection method, for low-power-consuming searches in a Content Addressable Memory. A HIT is output when the Match Line rises from a Low voltage level to a higher Match Detection Voltage. The Match Detection Voltage is approximately the conducting threshold voltage of an N-channel Field Effect Transistor (FET), and is normally less than One Half of the Power Supply Voltage. Circuits and methods to turn of the through-current in each MISS-ing entry by a carefully timed control signal at the end of a brief Match Detection Period, are disclosed.