Content-addressable (associative) memory devices

A compound associative memory for use with a data-parallel computer, the memory comprising:

• a bit-parallel word-organized associative memory comprising an array of associative memory cells arranged to be capable of bit-parallel search and write operations, and a plurality of write enable lines aligned transversely with the organization of memory cells into words in the bit-parallel memory;
• a bit-serial associative memory arranged to operate as an extension of the bit-parallel memory, the bit-serial memory comprising an array of memory cells arranged to be capable of bit-serial search and write operations, but not word bit-parallel search and write operations;
• and
• configuring means for operatively connecting the bit-serial memory to the bit-parallel memory, the configuring means being arranged to read word data stared in the bit-serial memory and use the read word data to control selection of selective bits of the data organized as words in the bit-parallel memory selecting write enable lines in the bit-parallel bit-memory.