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:
Mar. 29, 2005
Filed:
May. 31, 2002
Abdullah Ahmed, Scarborough, CA;
Jin Ki Kim, Kanata, CA;
Abdullah Ahmed, Scarborough, CA;
Jin Ki Kim, Kanata, CA;
MOSAID Technologies Incorporated, Kanata, CA;
Abstract
A differential sensing amplifier for content addressable memory is disclosed. In the differential sensing amplifier there is a detection circuit for detecting at an input node a change in an input signal comprising, a differential amplifier having a sense node and a reference node, a means for alternating the differential amplifier between a precharge phase and a sense phase, a precharge means for providing an input signal precharge voltage to the input signal via an input device, said input device selectively coupling the sense node to the input signal upon a change in the input signal, and a reference means for providing the reference node with a reference signal that continuously tracks the input precharge voltage during the precharge phase and actively maintains the input signal precharge voltage during the sense phase. In a specifically preferred embodiment the invention provides a sensing amplifier circuit for detecting a match or mismatch search condition on a high density content addressable memory matchline that is capable of rapidly sensing the capacitive matchline, limit the matchline voltage swing sensing all matchlines simultaneously, and providing the match and mismatch result for post processing, all under relatively low dynamic power while consuming little circuit area.