Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing lookup operations using associative memories, including, but not limited to modifying search keys within an associative memory based on modification mappings, forcing a no-hit condition in response to a highest-priority matching entry including a force no-hit indication, selecting among various sets or banks of associative memory entries in determining a lookup result, and detecting and propagating error conditions. In one implementation, each block retrieves a modification mapping from a local memory and modifies a received search key based on the mapping and received modification data. In one implementation, each of the associative memory entries includes a field for indicating that a successful match on the entry should or should not force a no-hit result. In one implementation, an indication of which associative memory blocks or sets of entries to use in a particular lookup operation is retrieved from a memory.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing lookup operations using associative memories, including, but not limited to modifying search keys within an associative memory based on modification mappings, forcing a no-hit condition in response to a highest-priority matching entry including a force no-hit indication, selecting among various sets or banks of associative memory entries in determining a lookup result, and detecting and propagating error conditions. In one implementation, each block retrieves a modification mapping from a local memory and modifies a received search key based on the mapping and received modification data. In one implementation, each of the associative memory entries includes a field for indicating that a successful match on the entry should or should not force a no-hit result. In one implementation, an indication of which associative memory blocks or sets of entries to use in a particular lookup operation is retrieved from a memory.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing lookup operations using associative memories, including, but not limited to modifying search keys within an associative memory based on modification mappings, forcing a no hit condition in response to a highest priority matching entry including a force no hit indication, selecting among various blocks or sets of associative memory entries in determining a lookup result, and detecting and propagating error conditions. In one implementation, indications of which associative memory blocks to use and/or enable in a particular lookup operation are retrieved from one or more memories, such as that based on received a profile ID. In one implementation, which may or may not be in a cascaded configuration, one or more identified or received error conditions are propagated in such a manner as to identify a source of each error condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for, inter alia, managing idle time and performing lookup operations to adapt to refresh requirements and/or operational rates of the particular associative memory or other devices used to implement the system. A system typically a controller coupled to a circuit including includes multiple associative memories. The controller receives performance information from at least one of the associative memories and generates idle time corresponding to the performance information. This performance information may include an actual refresh requirement for each of the associate memories or the worst-case requirement of one of the associative memories, so that the controller can intermittently provide the actual refresh cycles required, if any, by a particular implementation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing lookup operations using associative memories, including, but not limited to modifying search keys within an associative memory based on modification mappings, forcing a no-hit condition in response to a highest-priority matching entry including a force no-hit indication, selecting among various sets or banks of associative memory entries in determining a lookup result, and detecting and propagating error conditions. In one implementation, each block retrieves a modification mapping from a local memory and modifies a received search key based on the mapping and received modification data. In one implementation, each of the associative memory entries includes a field for indicating that a successful match on the entry should or should not force a no-hit result. In one implementation, an indication of which associative memory blocks or sets of entries to use in a particular lookup operation is retrieved from a memory.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for performing lookup operations using associative memories, including, but not limited to modifying search keys within an associative memory based on modification mappings, forcing a no hit condition in response to a highest priority matching entry including a force no hit indication, selecting among various blocks or sets of associative memory entries in determining a lookup result, and detecting and propagating error conditions. In one implementation, indications of which associative memory blocks to use and/or enable in a particular lookup operation are retrieved from one or more memories, such as that based on received a profile ID. In one implementation, which may or may not be in a cascaded configuration, one or more identified or received error conditions are propagated in such a manner as to identify a source of each error condition.