Content addressable memory
AssigneeHewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
InventorJohn A. Wickeraad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Examples disclosed herein relate, in one aspect, to method of searching a content addressable memory (CAM) that stores a plurality of entries. The method may include obtaining a search word corresponding to a matching data word stored in a matching entry of the CAM, where the matching entry may include a plurality of data words. The method may also include determining, based at least on a value of a predetermined bit of the search word, a search mask to mask off any data words within the matching entry other than the matching data word. The method may also determine, based on the search mask and a search key that includes the search word, the address of the matching entry within the CAM.
Claims20
An electronic device comprising:
- a content addressable memory (CAM) comprising a plurality of entries, wherein a respective entry comprises a set of data words, and wherein a respective data word is positioned within the entry at a position associated with a value of the data word;
- a processor;
- and
- a lookup engine configured to:
- obtain a search key comprising a search word and a search mask that indicates a position of the search word among positions of the set of data words within an entry of the CAM based on a value of the search word;
- lookup the search word in the plurality of entries of the CAM at the position indicated by the search mask;
- and
- retrieve, from the position indicated by the search mask within a matching entry of the CAM, a data word corresponding to the search word.
A method of searching a content addressable memory (CAM) storing a plurality of entries, the method comprising:
- storing, in the CAM, a plurality of entries, wherein a respective entry comprises a set of data words, and wherein a respective data word is positioned within the entry at a position associated with a value of the data word;
- obtaining a search key comprising a search word and a search mask that indicates a position of the search word among positions of the set of data words within an entry of the CAM based on a value of the search word;
- looking up the search word in the plurality of entries of the CAM at the position indicated by the search mask;
- and
- retrieving, from the position indicated by the search mask within a matching entry of the CAM, a data word corresponding to the search word.
A content addressable memory (CAM) storing a plurality of entries, wherein a respective entry comprises a set of data words, and wherein a respective data word is positioned within the entry at a position associated with a value of the data word, and wherein the CAM is configured to:
- obtain a search key comprising a search word and a search mask that indicates a position of the search word among positions of the set of data words within an entry of the CAM based on a value of the search word;
- lookup the search word in the plurality of entries of the CAM at the position indicated by the search mask;
- and
- retrieve, from the position indicated by the search mask within a matching entry of the CAM, a data word corresponding to the search word.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.