Patent ID: 7904643
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for generating at least a portion of a search key value for a range rule search in a ternary content addressable memory (CAM), comprising the steps of: dividing a search key of W bits into at least two portions having K1 bits and K2 bits, where W, K1 and K2 are integers; and encoding the portion having K1 bits into 2^K1 values, where only one of the 2^K1 values is activated for each possible value of the K1 bits; encoding the portion having K2 bits into 2^1(2 values, where only one of the 2^K2 values is activated for each possible value of the K2 bits; and applying the 2^K1 values and 2^K2 values to corresponding bits of ternary CAM entries storing encoded range code values.