Patent ID: 7196921

Claim:
A differential non-volatile content addressable memory cell comprising: a pair of non-volatile storage elements, each having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal for controlling the flow of current between the first terminal and the second terminal; wherein each of said storage elements is characterized by capable of being in one of two non-volatile states: a first state in which a first current flows between said first terminal and said second terminal, and a second state in which a second current, less than said first current, flows between said first terminal and said second terminal; a pair of differential data lines, each for connecting to the control terminal of one of said pair of non-volatile storage elements; a match line connecting to the first terminals of each of said pair of non-volatile storage elements for connecting to a first voltage; and said second terminals of each of said pair of non-volatile storage elements for connecting to a second voltage, different from said first voltage.