Abstract: A data-processing system includes a data device for selectively storing data and an engine having access to the memory device, the engine supporting a plurality of machine executable programs. A controller is utilized which selectively outputs one of a plurality of instructions to the engine for driving the execution of the programs enabled by the engine, while a clock device is utilized for outputting a synchronizing clock signal comprised of a predetermined number of clock cycles per second. The clock device outputs the synchronizing clock signal to the data device, the engine and the controller. The controller outputs one of the instructions to the engine for execution of one of the programs, while also executing an operation within itself, all within a single clock cycle.

Abstract: An associative memory support for a data processing system includes an associative memory device containing n-cells. A controller is provided for issuing an instruction to the associative memory device. A clock device outputs a synchronizing clock signal that includes a predetermined number of clock cycles per second, the clock device outputting the synchronizing clock signal to the associative memory device and the controller. The controller globally communicates the instruction to all of the n-cells simultaneously, within one of the clock cycles and the instruction is applied equally to each of the n-cells.