Patent ID: 7791917

Claim:
A method of writing data to first and second content-addressable memory (CAM) memory cell coupled in a series arrangement via a first line provided with a U-shaped geometry and including opposite end regions, the first CAM memory cell including a first switching transistor coupled with a first multilayer magnetic tunnel junction formed from a first insulating layer being disposed between first and second magnetic layers, the first magnetic layer being in communication with a first end region of the first line and having a magnetization with a first magnetization direction, the second magnetic layer being in communication with a second line and having a magnetization with a second magnetization direction, the second CAM memory cell including a second switching transistor coupled with a second multilayer magnetic tunnel junction formed from a second insulating layer being disposed between third and fourth magnetic layers, the third magnetic layer being in communication with a second end region of the first line and having a magnetization with a third magnetization direction, the fourth magnetic layer being in communication with the second line and having a magnetization with a fourth magnetization direction, said method comprising: providing write data to the first and third magnetic layers as a current pulse via the first line, said current pulse inducing a line magnetic field in the first line, said line magnetic field having a first line magnetization direction at the first end region and having a second line magnetization direction at the second end region, said first line magnetization direction being opposite said second line magnetization direction; and aligning the first and third magnetization directions of the first and third magnetic layers in accordance with said first and second line magnetization directions of said line magnetic field, respectively, such that said write data is written to the first and second CAM memory cells.