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:
Feb. 17, 1999
Richard David Simpson, Carlton, GB;
Laura Simmonite, Milton Keynes, GB;
Graham McLeod Barr, Richardson, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A content addressable memory (CAM) system ( ) is disclosed which includes a CAM array ( ) for storing an array of data words. More than one data word is stored on each row with the bits of the data word columns interleaved with each other. The CAM array ( ) is accessed during one of several modes of operation in accordance with signals from a bit line controller ( ) which activate certain ones of a plurality of bit lines coupling the bit line controller ( ) to the CAM array ( ). The modes of operation, as indicated by a mode control signal, include a write mode, a read mode and a match mode. In first embodiment of the present invention, the bit line controller ( ) sequentially accesses each of the columns of data words by selectively activating certain of the bit lines in accordance with a column address signal and the mode control signal.