Dynamic random access memory-based content-addressable memory (DRAM-CAM) architecture for exact pattern matching

A method for processing data using a DRAM-based content-addressable memory (DRAM-CAM) architecture, the method comprising:

• obtaining first data, the first data comprising at least one of text or image information, and being organized into a plurality of blocks, each block comprising a plurality of rows;
• storing the first data in a memory array of a DRAM-CAM architecture;
• converting the first data into a predefined format to form second data, the predefined format characterized by a plurality of columns arranged in an alternating pattern between first groups of columns and seconds group of columns, wherein each first group of columns corresponds to one or more rows of the plurality of rows of the first data, and wherein each second group of columns includes a number of null columns, wherein the reorganizing comprises, for each block of the plurality of blocks of the first data:
• transforming each row of the plurality of rows of the block into one or more columns of the first groups of columns, and
• interlacing the first groups of columns with the second group of columns to produce a set of interleaved columns in the second format for the block,
• wherein the second data is searchable responsive to a query.

A method for searching data in a DRAM-based content-addressable memory (DRAM-CAM) architecture, the method comprising:

• receiving a query, wherein the query indicates a set of search criteria that defines first data as data to be searched and defines elements to be identified within the first data;
• loading query data into an available column of each second group of columns, wherein the available column is a null column in each of the second groups of columns, wherein the second groups of columns are stored alongside first groups in an alternating pattern between the first groups of columns and the seconds group of columns, wherein the first group of columns corresponds to reference data to be searched;
• performing pattern matching on the first data to identify occurrences of elements defined by the set of search criteria, wherein the pattern matching includes accumulating a count of pattern matches and corresponding locations within the memory architecture;
• and
• outputting results of the pattern matching.