Patent ID: 7372713

Claim:
A content addressable memory (CAM) array comprising: a plurality of memory cells for storing data; respective search lines for loading search data into the array for comparison with the data in the memory cells; respective match lines for providing match data relating to the result of the comparison of the data and the search data; a plurality of respective sensing blocks for sensing the match data on the match lines; a dummy cell for storing dummy data; a dummy search line for loading dummy search data into the array for comparison with the dummy data; a dummy match line for providing dummy match data relating to the result of the comparison between the dummy data and the dummy search data; a dummy reference match line for providing dummy match data relating to the result of the comparison between the dummy data and the dummy search data; and a dummy sensing block for sensing the dummy match data on the dummy match line and the reference dummy match line; wherein in use, the dummy match data on the dummy reference match line arrives at the dummy sensing block before the dummy match data on the dummy match line, thereby providing a time window therebetween during which the dummy sensing block senses the dummy match data on the dummy match line.