Abstract:
A signal detection circuit that provides multilevel sense detection that is both fast and has low power consumption. The signal detection circuit has amplifying means for providing at least one output corresponding to the difference in voltage levels between a sense node and a reference node. Input means apply a voltage level onto the sense node, and reference means apply a reference voltage onto the reference node. The input and reference means have substantially similar electrical characteristics, however, the reference means includes a reference device that is physically larger than a corresponding device of the input means.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/960,364, filed Sep. 24, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,538,947 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/563,066, filed Apr. 24, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,798. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to semiconductor memory devices and more specifically to detecting multiple matches between search and stored data in memory systems such as high-density Content Addressable Memory (CAM). 
     BACKGROUND 
     In many conventional memory systems, such as random access memory, binary digits (bits) are stored in memory cells, and are accessed by a processor that specifies a linear address that is associated with the given cell. This system provides rapid access to any portion of the memory system within certain limitations. To facilitate processor control, each operation that accesses memory must declare, as a part of the instruction, the address of the memory cell/cells required. As the amount of memory increases the number of bits per instruction needed to reference a memory cell also increases. This diminishes the efficiency of the system. In addition to this drawback, standard memory systems are not well designed for a content-based search. Content-based searches in standard memory require a software based algorithmic search under the control of the microprocessor. These searches are neither quick nor efficient in using processor resources. 
     To overcome these inadequacies an associative memory system called Content Addressable Memory (CAM) has been developed. CAM allows cells to be referenced by their contents, so it first found use in lookup table implementations such as cache memory subsystems and is now rapidly finding use in networking systems. CAM&#39;s most valuable feature is its ability to perform a search and compare as a single operation. Specified user data and stored data can be compared and match and mismatch results can be returned by allowing the contents of a comparand register to be compared directly with all addresses held in a given memory system&#39;s address space simultaneously. 
     In addition to the rows and columns of memory cells, that are common to most memory systems, CAM also has a matchline and a matchline detection circuit (DTC). The DTC is a sense amplifier that senses the changes in the logic state of a matchline for the cells in that row. The DTC detects a match or a mismatch during a CAM search and compare operation. Though in many early applications it was not a concern, presently the detection of multiple matches on a matchline is of great interest. Distinguishing between a match and mismatch condition is as simple as declaring a threshold voltage or current level between the match and mismatch levels, and determining on which side of the threshold the matchline level was. This cannot be done with the presence of multiple matches, as the effect that it has is simply to increase the decay rate of the voltage or current level. 
     In a typical CAM system, various memory cells, arranged in a row, are connected by a matchline to a detection circuit (DTC). Running orthogonal to the matchlines are search lines that carry loaded search data to compare with stored data in the columns of CAM cells. Typically, matchlines are precharged to a matchline precharge voltage, for example, VDD. If a search result is a match, i.e. search data on the search line matches stored data in the CAM cell, then there is no change in the matchline voltage level, i.e. it remains at its precharge state, VDD. In the case of a mismatch, a direct current path is established between the respective matchline and VSS via the CAM cell and the voltage level on that matchline begins to decrease. This voltage drop is then detected by the respective DTC. Thus to detect a mismatch, each DTC, associated with each matchline, must detect whether a differing voltage level develops as a result of the search and compare operation. However, it is advantageous to determine whether a detected match has resulted from a single row or from multiple rows. 
     In order to detect multiple matches, otherwise referred to as hits, the problem encountered is one of detecting different voltage levels that can develop on a line. U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,448 to Matsuoka et al. describes a method for detecting a voltage level in a multilevel read only memory (ROM) cell. As shown in FIG. 1, the method and apparatus described therein use a pair of CMOS inverters that are operated as small signal amplifiers with an NMOS device used for current sensing. Both reference and active side sources are also fed into a current mirror. Though this design accomplishes the desired task of multilevel sensing, it does so at the cost of increased heat dissipation, and a limited output voltage swing. This increase in heat is a direct result of high power consumption by the discrete components and is a limiting factor in the attempt to shrink the component size so that it occupies less circuit area. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,686 to Bosnyak et al. describes a method and an apparatus for detecting multiple address matches in a CAM. The described apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 2 a,    2   b  and  2   c  uses a pair of ‘hit’ and ‘dhit’ lines that are connected to the power supply terminal (VDD) through a pair of pull-up PMOS transistors. A set of NMOS devices N 0 -N 3  on the ‘hit’ line operate in saturation since the voltages across the drain and source terminals are always above a threshold compared to the gate-to-source voltage (Vgs) of these devices. The reference transistor has a width to length ratio that is 1.5 times in dimension relative to any one of the NMOS devices N 0 -N 3  to provide a 1.5 times saturation current. The reference transistor Nref also operates in its saturation region. The Vgs of the Nref device is generated using a rather complex reference circuit to ensure appropriate compensation for temperature and voltage characteristics. Furthermore, the described apparatus uses a comparator to compare the current difference generated on the ‘hit’ and ‘dhit’ lines for a single and multiple match generation. The comparator is a two-stage area-intensive component that uses bipolar transistors and resistors for achieving the desired output. 
     One limitation of this application is as follows. In order to operate the NMOS devices N 0 -N 3  and Nref in saturation, the pull-up PMOS devices connecting the ‘hit’ and ‘dhit’ lines to the power supply terminal have to have relatively low resistivity such that the voltage drop is not significant across them while the devices N 0 -N 3  and Nref turn on during sensing. This is required to ensure that the voltage across the drain-to-source channel does not change significantly. This is achieved at the cost of relatively high current consumption through the ‘hit’ and ‘dhit’ lines during the entire operation, which presents a limitation for multiple-match detection within high density CAMs. 
     Furthermore, to operate Nref in saturation, a relatively complex compensating reference circuit is required to ensure compensation for temperature and voltage fluctuations in order to develop a constant reference current. The comparator itself is area consuming and consumes constant current. The requirement of bipolar devices presents a limitation for use in dynamic random access memories (DRAM), which are entirely CMOS based. 
     In conclusion, the increased demand for large memory systems, and the desire to efficiently use these systems for more than simple sequential access makes it desirable to provide a multilevel sense detector that in an ideal embodiment combines fast sensing with low power consumption. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal detection circuit that obviates or mitigates at least one disadvantage of prior signal detection circuits. It is a particular object to provide a signal detection circuit that provides multilevel sense detection that is both fast and consumes less power than previously known signal detection circuits. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal detection circuit having amplifying means for providing at least one output corresponding to the difference in voltage levels between a sense node and a reference node. Input means apply a voltage level onto the sense node, and reference means apply a reference voltage onto the reference node. The input and reference means have substantially similar electrical characteristics, however, the reference means includes a reference device that is physically larger than a corresponding device of the input means. 
     In presently preferred embodiments of the signal detection circuit of the present invention, the amplifying means provides a complementary output corresponding to the difference in levels between the sense node and the reference node. The amplifying means can be, for example, a differential amplifier, or a latch. The differential amplifier can also include a latch for providing complementary outputs corresponding to the difference in voltage levels between the sense node and the reference node, and activation means for switching the differential amplifier between an inactive phase and an active phase. The activation means can include a precharge circuit for precharging the complementary outputs to a supply voltage level while the differential amplifier is in the inactive state. 
     The input means of the signal detection circuit can include a multiple hit line coupled to the sense node; a clamping device for coupling the supply voltage level to the multiple hit line; and n devices connected in parallel to the multiple hit line. Each of the n devices is, for example, an NMOS transistor having a drain connected to the multiple hit line, a gate connected to a matchline and a source connected to VSS. The reference means can include a reference line coupled to the reference node; a reference clamping device for coupling the supply voltage level to the reference line; and n reference devices connected in parallel to the reference line. Preferably, the reference device has a size between that of first and second parallel combinations of n−1 and n devices respectively. 
     The clamping device and the reference clamping device can be, for example, PMOS transistors that are substantially similar in electrical characteristics, and are of sufficient physical size to precharge the sense node and the reference node during the inactive phase and prevent the sense node and the reference node from reaching a voltage level lower than the threshold voltage of any one of the n devices. 
     The activation means can include a logic circuit for turning off the clamping device and the reference clamping device when the differential amplifier switches to a latched state during the active phase. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be further described with references to the drawings in which same reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 shows a conventional sense amplifier for a multilevel sensing; 
     FIG. 2 a,    2   b,  and  2   c  show a prior art apparatus for detecting multiple address matches in a CAM; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a multiple-hit-line to be sensed and a reference multiple-hit-line; as part of an embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a differential amplifier and associated circuits for use with the structure shown in FIG. 3, as a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a differential amplifier and associated circuits for use with the structure shown in FIG. 3, in a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a timing diagram of the multiple match detection operation performed by the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of the multiple match detection operation performed by the second embodiment; and 
     FIGS. 8 a,    8   b  and  8   c  are timing diagrams to illustrate the three cases of multiple, single and no hit respectively in the second embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of a multiple hit line MHL and a reference line MHLb as part of one embodiment of the present invention. The multiple hit line MHL is coupled to a number ( 128  in this embodiment) of matchlines ML 1 -ML 128 , in parallel, via NMOS matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128 , which all have similar dimensions and operating characteristics. Each of these matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128  is setup so that its source is connected to VSS, its drain is connected to MHL, and its gate is connected to the respective matchline thereby allowing the voltage level on MHL to be controlled by the multiple pull-down paths provided by the matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128 . The number of matchline devices used in an array of CAM cells is equal to the number of rows of CAM cells in that array, which in this embodiment is  128 . In turn, each matchline is connected to a row of CAM cells, which use the matchline to report the incidence of a hit (or a match) and a miss (or a mismatch). 
     In the above structure, each of the matchlines ML 1 -ML 128  carries match or mismatch information about the cells in its row. In the event of a mismatch between search data and stored data in a CAM cell in a selected row, the corresponding matchline is pulled down to VSS (low), from a precharged state of VDD (high) by a corresponding matchline sense amplifier (not shown) whereas a match between search and stored data will result in that matchline remaining at the precharged VDD level. As long as at least one matchline is at the high level, MHL will be discharged towards VSS through at least one matchline device. Having more than one matchline reporting a lit (i.e. remaining at VDD) results in MHL discharging towards VSS faster. In the event that no matchline reports a hit, MHL remains at VDD because all the matchlines are low and none of the matchline devices turn on. The purpose of this embodiment is to distinguish a multiple hit condition from a non-multiple hit condition where only one or no match occurs on MHL. 
     The second line used by this embodiment is a reference line denoted by MHLb. This reference line has an equal number (128 in this embodiment) of NMOS dummy devices DD 1 -DD 128  as the number of matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128 , connected in a similar parallel manner, except that the gates are connected to the VSS line rather than the actual matchlines ML 1 -ML 128 , thereby each dummy device simulating a mismatch condition. These dummy devices DD 1 -DD 128  are chosen so as to have electrical characteristics similar to the matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128  for this purpose, and thus provide the same parasitic capacitance and resistive loading on MHLb as is present on MHL for noise reduction. As a result, any voltage or temperature variations will affect both MHL and MHLb lines equally, and there is no need for a voltage and temperature compensation using a reference generator or similar circuits for addressing this problem. In addition, there is an NMOS reference device RD on MHLb whose channel width falls between one and two times (in this embodiment 3/2) the channel width of any one of the matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128 . The gate of this reference device RD is connected to a matchline sense enable signal MLSEN which also activates the matchline sense amplifiers (not shown) each of which senses and latches relevant matchline data on its corresponding matchline. Match data is established on the matchlines ML 1 -ML 128  within a very short time after MLSEN is driven to VDD. Subsequently, in case of a match, one of the gates of the matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128  will be driven to VDD at approximately the same time the gate of the reference device RD is driven to VDD by MLSEN. The timing signal MLSEN is used to ensure that both MHL and MHLb start to change their voltages almost simultaneously. This allows for the current through MHL and MHLb to be controlled and limited, as opposed to the prior art solutions, wherein a constant current is continuously drawn. 
     In this first embodiment, MHL and MHLb are both clamped to VDD using two PMOS voltage clamping devices, shown in FIG. 4 as M 1  and M 2 . For a single hit, MHL will be pulled down, after a brief settling time, by the matchline that indicates the hit to a voltage level slightly higher than MHLb. This is due to the fact that the matchline device that indicates the single hit will be on simultaneously with the clamping device M 1  thereby setting up a voltage divider. Since the width of the reference device RD is 3/2 times the width of any of the matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128 , MHLb will be driven lower than MHL. In the case of two or more hits (matches), MHL will reach a voltage level lower than that of MHLb, after the brief settling time, since the combined width of the matchline devices whose gates are at VDD is larger than that of the reference device RD. For the case of no matches in the array, the gates of all the matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128  are at VSS, thus MHL will stay at the precharged level while MHLb is driven to a lower voltage. 
     FIG. 4 shows a differential amplifier DA and associated circuits used with the structure shown in FIG. 3 as a first embodiment of this invention. As indicated above, the PMOS clamping devices M 1  and M 2  are used for clamping MHL and MHLb to VDD. The gates of M 1  and M 2  are connected to VSS making both devices conduct as soon as the voltage level on MHL and MHLb drops below VDD-Vtp (the threshold voltage of a PMOS device). The source terminals of M 1  and M 2  are connected to VDD and the drain terminal of M 1  is connected to MHL while the drain of M 2  is connected MHLb. The sizes of both M 1  and M 2  are so chosen as to provide enough current to clamp MHL and MHLb to VDD but M 1  and M 2  should have such a size as not allow MHL and MHLb to reach a voltage level below Vtn, the threshold voltage of NMOS first and second sensing devices M 3  and M 4  used as part of the differential amplifier DA. With this configuration, each combination of a PMOS device (M 1  or M 2 ) with at least one NMOS device (MD 1 -MD 128  or RD, DD 1 -DD 128  respectively) provide a resistive voltage divider that develops the respective voltage levels on both MHL and MHLb to be detected by the differential amplifier DA. In order to achieve this voltage divider configuration the PMOS devices are relatively small thereby reducing the current flow therethrough. The ratio of transistor sizes (channel widths) of M 1  and any of the matchline devices MD 1 -MD 128  shown in FIG. 3, determines the voltage level to which MHL will get discharged when a match occurs. Similarly, the ratio of transistor sizes of M 2  and RD determines the voltage level MHLb will reach when RD turns on. These ratios are typically insensitive to temperature variations thus eliminating the need for specific measures for temperature compensation. 
     A latching circuit of four latch transistor devices M 6 -M 9  together with a pair of sensing devices M 3  and M 4  form the latching differential amplifier DA for sensing the level difference developed between MHL and MHLb. An activation circuit that switches the differential amplifier DA between an inactive phase and an active phase is formed by three activation transistor devices M 5 , M 10 , and M 11 , the gates of which are connected together to an activation signal SHL. The inactive phase coincides with SHL being low and the MHL and MHLb being precharged to VDD, whereas the active phase coincides with SHL being high and MHL and MHLb being sensed. SHL is turned high after MLSEN is turned high by a specific time delay sufficient to allow the voltage difference between MHL and MHLb to reach a level detectable by the differential amplifier DA. This is to avoid DA responding to spurious voltages while MHL and MHLb are discharging towards their respective target levels. It is to be noted that even during the active phase, the differential amplifier DA being of a latching type draws current only during the switching of the latching circuit M 6 -M 9 , and that such switching occurs rather rapidly due to the positive feedback connections within the CMOS latching circuit M 6 -M 9 . 
     The circuit of FIG. 4 also includes an additional conventional output latch circuit LC driven by the LATCH signal through a switch SW which is turned on and off by a delay unit DU in response to the SHL signal. The delay unit provides two control signals SHL_DLY and SHL_DLYb which are time delayed versions of SHL. When SHL goes to a low voltage level the path to the latch circuit LC through the switch SW is disabled, while a high voltage level MSHL enables the latch circuit. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the relative timing sequence of the detection operation performed by the first embodiment combining the circuits of FIGS. 3 and 4. During the inactive phase when SHL is at VSS, first and second output nodes of the differential amplifier out and outb respectively, are both precharged to VDD by M 10  and M 11 . SHL is driven to VDD to switch the differential amplifier DA into the active phase at the time when both MHL and MHLb have reached their respective voltage levels as determined by the match data on the matchlines ML 1 -ML 128  which ensure sufficient differential sensing margin. After this predetermined delay, SHL goes to VDD and M 5  turns on with its gate driven to VDD. In the case of a multiple hit, MHL settles to a lower voltage than MHLb, and the first sensing device M 3  being driven by MHL is turned on slightly while the second sensing device M 4  being driven by MHLb is turned on strongly. This provides a higher switching current through M 4  and M 7  which are connected together in series, and a lower current through M 3  and M 6  which are also connected together in series. The resulting differential current in the two paths rapidly switches, i.e. flips the latching circuit due to the positive feedback between its four latch transistors M 6 -M 9 . As a result, the first output node out is driven to VSS while the second output node outb stays high. Two pairs of output buffer transistor devices M 12 , M 13  and M 14 , M 15  provide first and second inverting buffers BUF 1  and BUF 2  respectively between the first and second output nodes out and outb, producing first and second respective output signals LATCH and LATCHb to be used in subsequent signal processing. In the case of a single match or no match, MHL is at a higher voltage level than MHLb, causing the first sensing transistor M 3  to turn on harder than the second sensing transistor M 4 . A differential current is generated in an opposite manner as the second output node outb is driven down to VSS while the first output node out stays high. The first output node out drives the first inverting buffer BUF 1  to provide the first output signal LATCH, which holds the information for further processing. It should be noted that the activation signal SHL remains at VDD only for the time duration it takes the sensed data to drive the latching circuit M 6 -M 9  (active phase). Since the first output node out provides the information on multiple hits in a relatively short time, current consumption through M 1  and M 2  is also for a relatively short time. This is clearly shown in FIG. 6, which illustrates the timing of a multiple-hit detection operation. As a result, the current flowing through the differential amplifier DA is only present during the switching of the latching circuit M 6 -M 9 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a differential amplifier and associated circuits used with the structure shown in FIG. 3 as a second embodiment of the present invention wherein separate first and second PMOS precharge devices M 16  and M 17  respectively are provided in addition to the clamping devices M 1  and M 2 . The differential amplifier circuit consisting of M 3 , M 4  and M 6 -M 9  is the same as that shown in FIG.  4 . Another difference between the first and second embodiments is that the pair of voltage clamping devices M 1  and M 2  have their respective gates controlled by the output of an inverter INV whose input gate is driven by the output of a NOR logic gate NLG. A first input of NLG is connected to the first output signal LATCH provided by the first inverting buffer BUF 1  formed by the first pair of buffer devices M 12  and M 13 , and a second input of NLG is connected to the second output signal LATCHb provided by the second inverting buffer BUF 2  formed by the second pair of buffer devices M 14  and M 15 . This connection of the gates of the voltage clamping devices M 1  and M 2  provides self-timing to turn off M 1  and M 2  as soon as the differential amplifier DA has latched the data and switched from its precharge state. This provides further reduction in power consumption since M 1  and M 2  are turned on only for a very limited time during the sensing interval. 
     Yet another difference from the circuit of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that instead of using the clamping devices M 1  and M 2  to precharge MHL and MHLb, the precharge devices M 16  and M 17  are used to precharge the MHL and MHLb lines using the PREb-MHL signal. Therefore, in this second embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the voltage clamping devices M 1  and M 2  are used only to provide, the logic levels on MHL and MHLb and not for precharging as used in the first embodiment. If M 1  and M 2  were used for precharging as in the first embodiment, the transient current required for precharging MHL and MHLb through any PMOS transistor would be larger than the current needed to develop the voltage levels on these two lines, since in the second embodiment, M 1  and M 2  can be minimum sized transistors. Therefore, if M 1  and M 2  were used to perform the precharge, their required larger device sizes would result in a larger DC current power dissipation when developing the voltage levels on MHL and MHLb during the active phase. In order to address this larger power dissipation, the second embodiment of FIG. 5 uses the precharge transistors M 16  and M 17  to perform the precharge more efficiently. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the detection operation performed by the second embodiment combining the circuits of FIGS. 3 and 5 in the case of a multiple hit. As shown in this figure, as soon as a difference between MHL and MHLb is detected by the differential amplifier DA, both lines begin to be discharged towards VSS by virtue of the feedback circuit from the two amplifier outputs out and outb vial the logic gate NLG and the inverter INV. 
     FIGS. 8 a,    8   b  and  8   c  illustrate the three possible outcomes of the search and compare operation on the circuitry described above for the second embodiment in FIG.  5 . FIG. 8 a  illustrates the case of a multiple hit where the search and compare operation has resulted in more than one hit (or match) between search data and stored data in a particular row of the CAM. Note that after a brief period of time, MHL&#39;s voltage level decreases substantially below that of MHLb, as described earlier, due to the combined pull-down action of multiple matchline devices from ML 1 -ML 128  (shown in FIG. 3) being turned on simultaneously. These matchline devices corresponding to the multiple hits have a combined width which is greater than the width of the reference device RD and therefore pull MHL to a voltage level lower than that of MHLb. Detection of the voltage difference between MHL and MHLb occurs once the two lines are sufficiently far apart in voltage to be sensed by the sensing devices M 3  and M 4 . Shortly thereafter, the second output node outb obtains a corresponding signal from the differential amplifier as described above, MHL and MHLb are both discharged to VSS, and then MHL and MHLb are precharged once again in preparation for the next sensing operation during the next active phase. Similarly, in FIG. 8 b,  the case of a single hit is illustrated. Note that the outcome is opposite to that shown in FIG. 8 a,  with MHLb being pulled to a voltage level lower than that of MHL since the single matchline transistor that experiences a hit on its associated matchline has a width which is less than that of the reference transistor RD. Finally, in FIG. 8 c,  the case of no hits is illustrated. Here MHL remains at its precharged state since none of the matchline devices of FIG. 3 are enabled. 
     As will be understood by those of skill in the art, to detect between a single hit and no hit, there are a set of single hit sense lines HIT_ 1  to HIT_ 128  (not shown), similar to MHL_ 1  to MHL  128 , but without sense amplifier comparison. Lines HIT_ 1  to HIT_ 128  detect whether there is at least one match. Simple logic is then implemented to process the outputs from the single hit lines and the multiple hit lines, MHL, to determine if a single, multiple or no hit has occurred. 
     With additional logic circuitry, the outputs of the HIT_ 128   b  lines from each of the four arrays can also be combined to indicate a multiple match. For example, if there is a single hit in one array, and single hit in another array, the respective HIT_ 128   b  lines in the respective arrays would be asserted, but the corresponding MHL_ 128  lines would not be asserted. Simple binary logic circuitry can determine that there are, in fact, multiple hits. 
     Of course, numerous variations and adaptations may be made to the particular embodiments of the invention described above, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims. Whereas the embodiments described above are particularly relevant to high density CAM arrays requiring detection of multiple hits, the invention is also applicable to the detection of data lines having a time varying voltage level with no pre-set reference.