Circuitry and method for controlling current surge on rails of parallel-pulldown-match-detect-type content addressable memory arrays

摘要

A content addressable memory system has an array of CAM cells. Each row of the array has a match line coupled to a match line pull device. The match line pull devices of each cell are also coupled to a row return line that may be shared with an adjacent row. Each row return line is coupled through a resistive device to a rail. The CAM cells also have a data memory element and comparison logic for comparing query data against the data memory element and controlling the match line pull devices.