Search Engine With Selective Comparator Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional search engines, such as those using Content Addressable Memory (CAM), struggle to perform complex search processes efficiently, especially on inexpensive consumer devices with lower CPU performance, as they cannot recombine search elements or conditions like match, mismatch, range, or out-of-range searches simultaneously, and are unsuitable for development into cost-effective consumer devices.
Innovation Solution
A search engine comprising multiple comparison units with two magnitude comparators, a connection unit to selectively connect these units, and a setting unit to configure discriminants for various search modes, allowing for match, mismatch, range, and out-of-range searches within a single engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional CAM is used for high-speed search, then search speed is improved, but the ability to recombine search elements and conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The search engine is divided into multiple comparison units, each capable of independent comparison operations. Each comparison unit can be configured to perform different comparison types (match, mismatch, range, out-of-range) and the results can be combined through the connection unit, enabling flexible recombination of search elements while maintaining high-speed processing
Solution Approach 2:
The search engine is designed with universal comparison units that can perform multiple search functions (match search, mismatch search, range search, out-of-range search) through a single unified structure. The setting unit allows configuration of different search conditions, making the same hardware capable of executing diverse search operations without requiring separate specialized circuits for each function
2Reliability
If magnitude comparator with special cells is used, then comparison capability is improved, but cost and development period increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the implementation approach by using standard logic cells instead of special cells, and by configuring comparison units through software settings rather than hardwiring different comparator types. This allows the same hardware structure to perform multiple comparison functions (match, mismatch, range, out-of-range) by changing operational parameters through the setting unit, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and development costs while maintaining full comparison capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using specialized hardware cells, the invention implements comparison functionality using standard logic cell copies that can be configured through software. The comparison units are formed by standard logic cells that can be programmatically configured to perform different comparison operations, eliminating the need for expensive and complex special cells while maintaining reliable comparison capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple search conditions are supported simultaneously, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The search engine is segmented into multiple identical comparison units that can be independently configured. Each comparison unit handles one search condition, and the connection unit combines the results. This segmentation allows simultaneous support for multiple search conditions (match, mismatch, range, out-of-range) while keeping each individual unit simple and the overall structure modular and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The search engine uses universal comparison units that can be configured to perform different search operations through the setting unit. Instead of having separate dedicated circuits for each search type, a single universal structure handles all search conditions by changing its operational parameters, thereby supporting multiple search condition combinations without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A search engine has a plurality of comparators. Discriminants are set in the comparators for each search, and the comparators are selectively connected.