A current-saving match-line sensing scheme for content-addressable memories

A match-line sensing scheme that reduces power consumption in content-addressable memories by dynamically allocating less power to match-lines with more mismatches is described. This scheme is implemented in a 256/spl times/144 bit CAM using 1.2 V 0.13 /spl mu/m CMOS achieving a 2 ns search time at 1.3 fJ/bit/search.