Sorting/merging tree for determining a next tournament champion in each cycle by simultaneously comparing records in a path of the previous tournament champion

An apparatus for sorting and merging database records, whereby a tournament champion is determined in each cycle, the apparatus comprising:

• a root register;
• a plurality of node registers coupled to the root register in a logical tree configuration so as to form a plurality of data paths;
• a plurality of base registers, each of the base registers being coupled to one of the node registers;
• a champion key register, coupled to the root register, having a first field for holding a key and a second field for holding address data identifying one of said base registers from which the key originated;
• path selection means, coupled to the champion key register, for selecting one of the data paths, responsive to the address data held in the champion key register for a current tournament champion;
• simultaneous compare means operating with the node registers in a currently selected path of the tree and the champion key register for determining in a single cycle of comparison, a next tournament champion among data represented in the node registers which form the currently selected data path selected by the path selection means, and for writing the key of the next tournament champion and the address data identifying the base register of origin into the champion key register;
• and
• update means, coupled to the path selection means, for updating the data in the node registers forming the data path selected by the path selection means.