Patent ID: 7738275

Claim:
A leakage current cut-off device for a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) utilizing a multi-mode data retention power gating device to turn on/off the connection between a discharging terminal of a storage cell of the TCAM and the ground or providing the discharging terminal with a VGND voltage, wherein the multi-mode data retention power gating device comprises: a first end connected to the discharging terminal of the storage cell, a second end connected to the ground, a first signal terminal and a second signal terminal, wherein the first signal terminal and the second signal terminal are used to receive a first signal and a second signal, respectively, to turn on/off the conduction between the discharging terminal of the storage cell and the ground or provide the discharging terminal of the storage cell with the VGND voltage, and an OR gate, wherein a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the OR gate receive the first signal and a recorded value of the storage cell, respectively, and an output terminal of the OR gate provides the second signal.