TCAM Repeater Circuit Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of wiring in semiconductor devices increases wiring resistance, leading to higher power consumption and decreased operation speed in content addressable memory (TCAM) due to increased wire resistor magnitude, which affects the speed of state transitions and timing margins in TCAM operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating repeaters in the delay path of the replica circuit within the TCAM to control timing and reduce the delay time, while matching the wiring length of the replica path with the match line, and using repeaters to manage capacitance and transition slopes, thereby reducing power consumption and improving operation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If miniaturization of wiring is applied to reduce area, then area is reduced, but wiring resistance increases leading to higher power consumption and decreased operation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a repeater circuit as an intermediary component in the match line path. This repeater circuit actively regenerates and retransmits signals, compensating for the increased wiring resistance caused by miniaturization. The repeater acts as a mediator that boosts the signal strength without requiring increase in the original wiring size, thus resolving the contradiction between area reduction and power consumption increase.
2Area of moving object
If miniaturization of wiring is applied to reduce area, then area is reduced, but operation speed decreases due to increased wire resistor magnitude
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater circuit serves as an intermediary that actively regenerates signals degraded by increased wiring resistance. By inserting this active component along the match line, the signal restoration capability compensates for the speed degradation caused by miniaturization, maintaining operation speed while benefiting from reduced area.
3Speed
If repeaters are added to control timing and reduce delay, then operation speed improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides signal regeneration to overcome resistance, acts as a delay element for timing control, and functions as a buffer for capacitance management. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single component, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving speed improvement.
4Use of energy by moving object
If repeaters are added to manage capacitance and transition slopes, then power consumption reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides signal regeneration to overcome resistance, acts as a delay element for timing control, and functions as a buffer for capacitance management. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single component, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving speed improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
A TCAM (Ternary Content Addressable Memory) according to the embodiment includes repeaters in a delay path for controlling the timing in the replica circuit that defines the timing of matching. According to the above configuration, the TCAM which consumes low power and operates at high speed can be realized.