Associative memory with matching circuit with differential amplification

摘要

This associative memory circuit comprises a plurality of logic circuits connected to a common match line (12). Each of the logic circuits (Q1-Q4) compares a content stored in each of a plurality of memory cells (101, 102, ...) with externally supplied search data so as to output a comparison result thereof to the match line (12). The associative memory circuit also comprises a reference-potential producing circuit (22) provided correspondingly for the match line (12) so as to produce a reference potential used in relation with the match line (12), and a differential amplifier circuit (20) performing a differential amplification to a potential of the match line (12) and the reference potential so as to judge whether or not the content matches the search data.