Patent ID: 8639875

Claim:
A content search system including a plurality of search pipelines each of the plurality of search pipelines for performing any one of a plurality of different types of search operations for a received data packet, wherein each of the plurality of search pipelines comprises: a key filter circuit, having an input to receive header information from the packet, to generate a corresponding search key specific to the type of search operation assigned to the pipeline; a group of content addressable memory (CAM) blocks for storing data associated with any of the different types of search operations; and a power control unit having a first input to receive the search key, having a second input to receive configuration data indicative of the type of search operation assigned to the pipeline, and having outputs dynamically coupled to the group of CAM blocks, wherein the power control unit is configured to selectively apply one of a plurality of different power control techniques to the assigned search operation in response to the configuration data.