Content addressable memory with shifted enable signal

Abstract

A content addressable memory includes a seek access circuit with four transistors connected in series between a pair of bit lines. The two inner transistors are driven by a data storage circuit; the outer two transistors function as enable transistors. A level shifting circuit receives an enable signal and shifts one or both of the logic levels of the enable signal so as to widen the potential difference between them. The shifted enable signal drives the enable transistors in the seek access circuit. Shifting the high logic level of the enable signal upward speeds up seek access by reducing the on-resistance of the enable transistors. Shifting the low logic level of the enable signal downward reduces subthreshold leakage through the seek access circuit, thereby reducing current consumption, speeding up read and write access, and preventing access errors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.