Patent ID: 9646695
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: G11C

Claim:
1. A memory cell of a content addressable memory, wherein the content addressable memory has a write mode and a search mode, a plurality of the memory cells form a memory array, the memory cell is electrically coupled to a word line, a bit line, a source line and two comparison lines, wherein when the content addressable memory is in the write mode and receives a turn-on signal transmitted on the word line, the memory cell receives write data transmitted on either the bit line or the source line, wherein when the content addressable memory is in the search mode and receives the turn-on signal transmitted on the word line, the memory cell receives comparison data transmitted on the comparison lines and a detection voltage transmitted on the bit line and transmits a reference signal to a comparator through a match line, wherein whether the comparison data is stored in a memory or not is determined based on the reference signal received by the comparator, wherein the memory cell comprises: a set of storage switch unit, configured to be turned on by the turn-on signal of the word line; a set of memory unit, configured to receive and store the write data transmitted on either the bit line or the source line when in the write mode and the storage switch unit is turned on; a set of comparison switch unit, configured to be turned on by the comparison data transmitted on the comparison lines when in the search mode; and a discharge switch unit, configured to be turned on by the detection voltage when in the search mode and it is determined that the comparison data transmitted on the comparison lines is different with the write data stored in the memory unit, so that the reference signal on the match line supposed to be transmitted to the comparator is changed to be transmitted to a reference voltage.