ASSOCIATIVE MEMORY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an associative memory of which the cost is appropriate and which is easy to control, in a system using a plurality of associative memories having different constitutions. SOLUTION: This associative memory is provided with: an associative memory array divided into a plurality of physical banks which can be set to different constitutions respectively; a logic/physical signal converting circuit setting and controlling constitutions of respective physical banks being made to correspond in accordance with constitution of logic banks; a priority circuit outputting successively retrieved results outputted from respective physical banks according to priority order previously set when retrieving is performed for the respective physical banks corresponding to the logic banks: and a cascade control circuit performing logical operation of the retrieved result of the associative memory outputted from the priority circuit and a retrieved result supplied from a high-order associative memory and transmitting succesively the opeation result to the low-order associative memory when a plurality of associative memories are used in cascade connection. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI