Ultra-compact CAM array based on single MTJ and operating method thereof

An ultra-compact content addressable memory (CAM) array based on a single magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), wherein the CAM array comprises an M*N CAM core for storing contents, additional reference rows for storing “0” and “1” and reference columns for storing “0” and “1”, a row decoder, a column decoder, transmission gates ENs, write drivers WDs, search current source Isearchs, and two-stage detection amplifiers,

• wherein all 1T-1MTJ cells in the reference row for storing “0” and the reference column for storing “0” store data “0”, all 1T-1MTJ cells in the reference row for storing “1” and the reference column for storing “1” store data “1”, and at the intersection of the two reference rows and the two reference columns are four 2T cells for ensuring that a reference voltage on the BL of the reference row is different from read voltages of the other storage rows during the search.