CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORY CELL AND CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORY USING PHASE RANDOM MEMORY

摘要

A CAM(Content Addressable Memory) cell using a phase change random access memory and a CAM thereof are provided to increase data search speed, by supplying a develop current to a plurality of phase change random access memories. A CAM(Content Addressable Memory)(200) comprises a match line(ML), a search line pair(SL,/SL), a first CAM cell(210), a second CAM cell(220), a first comparison part(250) and a second comparison part(260). The search line pair comprises a search line and an inverted search line. The first CAM cell comprises a first phase change memory device storing data and a first develop unit applying a first develop current to the first phase change memory device in a search mode of comparing the data stored in the first phase change memory device with inverted search data inputted through the inverted search line. The second CAM cell comprises a second phase change memory device storing data and a second develop unit applying a second develop current to the second phase change memory device in a search mode of comparing the data stored in the second phase change memory device with search data inputted through the search line. The first comparison part connects or disconnects the match line to a first voltage, in response to the inverted search data and the data stored in the first CAM cell. The second comparison part connects or disconnects the match line to the first voltage, in response to the search data and the data stored in the second CAM cell.