CAM device and remedial method for CAM device
AssigneeRenesas Technology Corp.
InventorsHideto Matsuoka, Kazunari Inoue
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of content-addressable-memory sub-arrays simultaneously performs a parallel comparison between data sequences arranged in a row direction of memory cells and a search data sequence input from outside, and outputs a result of the comparison for each data sequence. A first input pin receives an input of the search data sequence. A second input pin receives an input of a search data sequence arbitrarily designating a content-addressable-memory sub-array. Each of the content-addressable-memory sub-arrays includes an activation control unit that controls activation of the content-addressable-memory sub-arrays based on the search data sequence.
Claims21
A content-addressable-memory device comprising:
- a plurality of content-addressable-memory sub-arrays that simultaneously performs a parallel comparison between a plurality of data sequences arranged in a row direction of memory cells storing three values of “1”, “0”, and ”X” and a search data sequence input from outside, and outputs a result of the comparison for each of the data sequences;
- a first input pin to which the search data sequence is input;
- and
- a second input pin to which a search data sequence arbitrarily designating a content-addressable-memory sub-array is input, wherein
- each of the content-addressable-memory sub-arrays includes an activation control unit that controls activation of the content-addressable-memory sub-arrays based on the search data sequence input from the second input pin.
A content-addressable-memory device comprising:
- a plurality of content-addressable-memory sub-arrays that simultaneously performs a parallel comparison between a plurality of data sequences arranged in a row direction of memory cells storing three values of “1”, “0”, and “X” and a search data sequence input from outside, and outputs a result of the comparison for each of the data sequences;
- and
- a plurality of priority encoders that is provided in a one-to-one relation with each of the content-addressable-memory sub-arrays, and performs a processing for remedying a defect that occurs in the content-addressable-memory sub-arrays or the priority encoders in a process of receiving a result of the comparison for each of the data sequences, determining an address to be output by priority when the data sequences match in a plurality of addresses, and encoding the address.
A content-addressable-memory device comprising:
- a plurality of content-addressable-memory cells for storing data;
- and
- a test mechanism that checks soundness of all of the content-addressable-memory cells, and specifies a defective address.
A remedial method for a content-addressable-memory device, the remedial method comprising:
- shipping including
- performing a writing operation and a search operation using continuous two clocks for each content-addressable-memory cell;
- storing a defective address detected at the performing in a storing unit that is accessible from outside;
- and
- shipping the content-addressable-memory device with storing unit in which the defective address is stored;
- and
- exploring measures for avoiding the defective address with reference to the storing unit on a user side.
A remedial method for a content-addressable-memory device, the remedial method comprising:
- shipping including
- providing a software repair area for exploring software repair measures in an accessible manner from outside;
- performing a writing operation and a search operation using continuous two clocks for each content-addressable-memory cell;
- storing a defective address detected at the performing in a storing unit that is accessible from outside;
- and
- shipping the content-addressable-memory device with storing unit in which the defective address is stored;
- and
- accessing the software repair area based on the defective address stored at the storing, to explore repair measures on a user side.
A remedial method for a content-addressable-memory device, the remedial method comprising:
- shipping including
- applying hardware repair measures to a defective address detected in a manufacturing process;
- and
- shipping the content-addressable-memory device with the hardware repair measures applied to the defective address;
- and
- exploring, when a defective address is detected on a user side, measures to avoid the defective address as a system.
A remedial method for a content-addressable-memory device, the remedial method comprising:
- shipping including
- providing a software repair area for exploring software repair measures in an accessible manner from outside;
- applying hardware repair measures to a defective address detected in a manufacturing process;
- and
- shipping the content-addressable-memory device with the hardware repair measures applied to the defective address;
- and
- exploring, when a defective address is detected on a user side, repair measures by accessing the software repair area based on the defective address.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.