Method and system for optimizing leaf comparisons from a tree search

A system comprising:

• an external memory storing data in a leaf of a tree structure within the external memory, the leaf containing a match key and a control vector, the control vector indicating a type of comparison test to be performed on the match key for accessing the date stored in the leaf;
• an embedded processing system coupled to the external memory, the embedded processing system including a tree search engine to process an input key pattern to locate the leaf within the tree structure of the external memory by performing the type of comparison test indicated by the stored control vector between the input key pattern and the match key;
• and
• the tree search engine accessing the data stored in the leaf of the tree structure for performing a read or write responsive to the input key pattern matching the input key pattern in accordance with the performed comparison test.

A computer readable medium containing program instructions tangibly stored thereon for performing read/write access of data stored in a leaf of a tree structure within an external memory of an embedded processing system, the program instructions comprising instructions to:

• provide a control structure for the leaf of the tree structure, the control structure including a control vector and a match key, the control vector indicating a type of comparison test to be performed on the match key;
• store the control structure including the control vector and the match key within the leaf of the tree structure;
• process an input key pattern to located the leaf of the tree structure by performing the type of comparison test indicated by the stored control vector between the input key pattern and the match key;
• and
• access the data stored in the leaf of the tree structure to perform a read or write responsive to the input key pattern match the input key pattern in accordance with the performed comparison test.