Power-Efficient Nonvolatile Ternary Content Addressable Memory with Flexible Search Scope Using Reconfigurable Match Line Segment and Selective Search Line

This paper proposes a nonvolatile-based Ternary Content Addressable Memory (nvTCAM) with efficient dynamic power. The selective search line technique reduces the unnecessary power consumption by designating the search range according to the pattern of the stored data. The reconfigurable match line (ML) segment guarantees the optimal performance independent of the search pattern. Thanks to this technology, it shows a 21% reduction in data-driven power and a 46% reduction in ML-driven power. All those techniques are built in nvTCAM respectively. The test chip is fabricated using 180 nm CMOS technology, and functions are verified.