A high-speed and low-power ternary CAM design using match-line segmentation and feedback in sense amplifiers

Abstract

Ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) has become popular in high-speed lookup intensive applications. Large dynamic power consumption of TCAMs makes power reduction techniques an active area of research. In this paper we present a new match-line (ML) sensing scheme employing ML segmentation and positive feedback in the sense amplifier of the first segment. Simulation using 130nm 1.2V CMOS logic shows 26% speed enhancement and more than 47% energy reduction compared to conventional current-race sensing scheme at the cost of insignificant area overhead. Additionally, number of control signals required for TCAM operation has been kept minimum.