Method and apparatus for detecting a multiple match in an intra-row configurable CAM system

摘要

A method and apparatus for detecting a multiple match in an intra-row configurable CAM system. For one embodiment, the CAM system includes a CAM array and multiple match flag logic. The CAM system has a plurality of rows of CAM cells each row segmented into a plurality of row segments having a plurality of CAM cells coupled to a corresponding match line segment. The multiple match flag logic is coupled to the match line segments and determines when first comparand data matches data stored in each of two or more row segments in response to first configuration information, and determines when second comparand data matches data stored in each of two or more groups of row segments in response to second configuration information. The first configuration information is indicative of a first width and depth configuration of the CAM array, and the second configuration information is indicative of a second width and depth configuration of the CAM array.