Content addressable memory cell

Abstract

Architecture, circuitry, and methods are provided for producing a content addressable memory (CAM). The CAM includes one or more CAM cells arranged in an array. Each CAM cell is symmetrical about its x- and y-axis to form rows and columns of the array. Additionally, each CAM cell can use either SRAM or DRAM storage cells implemented in either a binary or ternary arrangement. If the CAM cell is a ternary SRAM design, then the cell size is no more than 4 microns by 1-½ microns, assuming a 0.15 micron critical dimension. Critical dimension is noted as the smallest resolvable size for the particular process being employed. The CAM cell utilizes a selection circuitry that will disable the compare circuit during times when a compare operation is not being performed. This will ensure the compare circuit will not consume power during, for example, a read or write operation. Each CAM cell uses no more than eight conductors per cell, wherein the conductors are of minimum width and pitch arranged co-planar on a single metal layer. Another metal layer utilizes local interconnects and a pair of conductors which carry the differential bit lines and compare lines. The local interconnects do not extend across the entire cell and, therefore, are localized to only a small region of a cell to effectuate power and ground supplies to the CAM cell.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.