Using associative memory to perform database operations
OwnerRony Zarom, Kenneth Ross +1inventors
InventorsRony Zarom, Kenneth Ross, Kenneth Yip
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Abstract
A system and method for employing associative memory for the storing the data of a relational database. The system and method of the present invention optionally include additional hardware components in order for the Associative memory to be usable for the relational database, as CAM (content associated memory).
Claims28
A system for performing at least one database operation on data, comprising:
- (a) a CPU for receiving a request to perform the database operation and the data;
- (b) a CAM unit for receiving said request and the data from said CPU, said CAM unit operating as a co-processor, such that said CAM unit performs the database operation on the data, and returns a result to said CPU;
- wherein said CPU determines whether to transmit said request and the data to said CAM unit.
A method for performing at least one database operation on data from a query, comprising:
- providing a CAM (content addressable memory) unit for operating as a co-processor;
- storing the data in said CAM unit;
- converting the query into at least one instruction to be executed by said CAM unit;
- and
- executing said at least one instruction to obtain at least one result of the database operation.
The method of 23-26, further comprising:
- performing at least one database operation on a row with NULL values, according to the standard of SQL communication.
A device for performing at least one database operation on data from a query as a co-processor, the device comprising:
- (a) a CAM memory for storing the data;
- (b) a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for interacting with the data;
- and
- (c) a CPU for executing said plurality of instructions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.