Semiconductor Search Line Segmentation for Uniform Signal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing capacity and length of search lines in TCAM devices lead to speed differences between memory cells close to the driver and those far from it, affecting high-speed search operations in semiconductor devices.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a matrix arrangement of search memory cells, search line pairs, and assist circuits that drive and assist the search lines to ensure uniform and rapid signal propagation, reducing the impact of distance on search operation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the capacity of search memory is increased, then the storage capacity is improved, but the length of search line increases causing speed difference between memory cells
Solution Approach 1:
The search line is divided into multiple segments with drivers positioned at different locations along the line. This segmentation allows the long search line to be driven from multiple points, reducing the effective drive distance and minimizing speed differences between memory cells at different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
Assist circuits are introduced as intermediary components between the main driver and memory cells. These assist circuits receive search data from the driver and re-drive it to distant memory cells, acting as intermediaries that equalize the signal arrival time across the extended search line.
2Quantity of substance
If the search line length is increased to accommodate more memory cells, then the storage capacity is improved, but the uniformity of data transmission speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The search line is segmented into multiple zones, each served by a driver or assist circuit. This segmentation ensures that no single driver has to drive the entire length of the search line, maintaining uniform transmission speed across all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the search line are driven by locally positioned drivers or assist circuits. This local driving approach ensures that each section receives optimal drive strength and timing, maintaining uniformity of data transmission speed across the entire search line despite its length.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device is provided where high-speed search operation can be performed. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of search memory cells arranged in a matrix form a plurality of search line pairs which are respectively provided corresponding to memory cell columns and which respectively transmit a plurality of search data to be compared with data stored in the search memory cells, a plurality of search drivers which are respectively arranged at corresponding to one end sides of the search line pairs and which drive the search line pairs according to the search data, and a plurality of assist circuits which are respectively provided corresponding to the other end sides of the search line pairs and which assist driving corresponding search line pairs according to the search data.