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:
Oct. 10, 2006
Filed:
Feb. 24, 2004
George M. Braceras, Essex Junction, VT (US);
Robert E. Busch, Essex Junction, VT (US);
George M. Braceras, Essex Junction, VT (US);
Robert E. Busch, Essex Junction, VT (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A structure, apparatus and method for reducing the power requirement of CAM memories, where the memory cells of the memory array are divided into groups of rows of multiple memory segments. Each memory segment has its own search driver and is searched separately. The memory segments are also searched in a prescribed order. If the search data is found in a particular memory segment, the search is stopped, leaving subsequent memory segments unsearched. By searching memory segments only until the search data is found, match lines of the subsequent memory segments are not unnecessarily discharge and recharged thereby reducing the current demands placed upon the power supply by the CAM memory. A selectable option to do a full search of the CAM memory is also provided for when the power supply is able to meet such current demands.