Abstract: A circuit and method is provided for implementing a content addressable memory circuit (100) in which an output word is produced which corresponds to the content of a reference word containing an ATM header. According to a first aspect, a binary search logic circuit (104) binarily searches the memory array (101) to find a match word whose content is equal to that of the reference word. Output signals indicate either that a match has been found or that the binary searching of the memory array (101) should continue at addresses either above or below the location address of the match word. According to a second aspect, the content addressable memory circuit (100) performs a concurrent search of switching identifiers, virtual circuit identifiers and virtual path identifiers, to determine if a virtual path connection or virtual circuit connection exists for an ATM header.

Abstract: A circuit and method is provided for implementing a content addressable memory circuit (100) in which at least one output word is produced which corresponds to the content of a match word. A binary search logic circuit (103) binarily searches the memory array (101) to find a match entry with multiple words whose content is equal to that of an input value with multiple words. The amount of words in each match entry is user programmable and defined at startup. The CAM (100) is capable of masking out words to be compared or outputted and allows overlapping of words to be compared and outputted. Output signals indicate whether a match has been found.