Reconfigurable key search engine

摘要

A reconfigurable key search engine (RKSE) in a mobile communication unit is adapted to efficiently search a memory system storing a plurality of security keys related to multiple networks. One embodiment uses a hierarchical memory system including at least one associative memory. The mobile communication unit roaming across a plurality of wireless networks identifies an incoming packet and derives index data to search a content addressable memory for an address. The address is used to obtain a security key from a memory. The key is used to decrypt the packet. The RKSE provides fast retrieval of the correct encryption key to decrypt the received packet.