FinFET-based TCAMs with matchline-accelerating sense amplifiers

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a low-power FinFET-based TCAM, which employs the proposed matchline-accelerating sense amplifiers (MLA-SA) to reduce both matchline voltage swing and searchline activity, resulting in lower power consumption. We have performed HSPICE simulations using Berkeley BSIM-CMG FinFET models to measure the performance of FinFET TCAM for three kinds of matchline sensing schemes: the traditional precharge-HIGH scheme, the CR-MLSA scheme, and the proposed MLA-SA scheme. Compared with the precharge-HIGH scheme and the CR-MLSA scheme, a FinFET-based TCAM employing the MLA-SA scheme can reduce power dissipation by 39-64% and 25-62%, respectively.