Fast aging scheme for search engine databases using a linear feedback shift register

摘要

A fast aging system (10) which may work with a memory (12) in which data words (16) having aging words (18) are stored. An aging address counter (20) selects an aging word (18) for updating based on a state change in a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) (24). Optionally, in the aging word (18) a zero value (52) may represent a permanent data words (16), a predefined non-zero value (56) may represent data words (16) which are available for replacement, and other zero values may represent data words (16) which are in various stages of valid lifetimes and which should not be replaced yet.