Patent ID: 6889225
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A circuit to search an external memory containing search results based on a search value received from an external controller, comprising: a hash unit to generate a hash output based on the search value, wherein said hash unit is operationally connected to an input bus connecting the circuit to the external controller; a content addressable memory (CAM) unit to store a CAM database of instances of the search values known to cause hash collisions in said hash unit and to match the search value against said CAM database such that a CAM output is provided if a match exists, wherein said CAM unit is also operationally connected to said input bus; a logic unit to: a search data storage to: a comparator operationally connected to said input bus to receive the search value there from, to receive said search data value from said search data storage, to compare the search value and said search data value to determine whether a match exists and, if a said match exists, to provide said hash hit signal to said logic unit.