Content addressable memory supporting multiple width searches

Abstract

One embodiment disclosed relates to a content addressable memory (CAM) supporting multiple width entries. The CAM includes a plurality of rows for storing bits in an array, and at least one width bit reserved in every row to indicate a width of an entry. At least two comparand registers are included, each comparand register configured to compare bits with a different subset of the rows in the array. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a method of searching a content addressable memory (CAM) supporting multiple width entries. A search word of a supported width is received, and a determination is made as to the width of the search word. Reserved width bits in comparand registers are set to indicate the width of the search word. The search word is loaded into the comparand registers, and a comparison operation is executed. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.