Data retrieval device

Abstract

A data retrieval device capable of attaining a low power consumption while utilizing high speed retrieving characteristics of a CAM, wherein a plurality of rule data with determined priority is newly arranged in an order of the size and assigned to memory blocks in accordance with the order, information on the assigned data range is stored in a register, the rule data is rearranged again in the priority order in each memory block, a range comparator compares input retrieval data with a content held in the register and a memory block to be retrieved is specified by the result, and a block controller activates only the specified block at the time of retrieving and not activating other blocks, so that a power consumption at the time of retrieving is reduced for that amount.