This work reports a fully parallel match-line (ML) structure with an automated background checking (ABC) scheme. MLs are pre-charged to an intermediate level by a pulsed current source to minimize power. The proposed ABC scheme uses two dummy rows for digitally adjusting the pulse width and the delay of the sense amplifier enable signals of the CAM without disturbing the normal operation. Therefore, it can continuously track the optimum ML swing, making the CAM tolerant to variations. The proposed ABC scheme achieves the power reduction of 5.5× compared with the conventional ML sensing scheme. In addition, multi-V t transistors are used in the CAM cell to reduce the leakage by 15× while improving the ML discharging speed by 2× when compared with the standard-V t devices at 1.2 V, 80°C. A test chip was prototyped using a standard 65 nm CMOS process. The average energy consumption is 0.77 fJ/bit/search at 1.2 V/500 MHz. Index Terms-CAM, match-line, small match line swing, variation tolerant design.

We have newly proposed heterogeneous multi-chip module integration technologies in which MEMS and LSI chips are mounted on Si or flexible substrates using a self-assembly method. A large numbers of chips were precisely and simultaneously self-assembled and bonded onto the substrates with high alignment accuracy of approximately 400 nm. Thick MEMS and LSI chips with a thickness of more than 100 μm were electrically connected by unique lateral interconnections formed crossing over chip edges with large step height. We evaluated fundamental electrical characteristics using daisy chains formed crossing over test chips which were face-up bonded onto the substrates by the self-assembly. We obtained excellent characteristics in these daisy chains. In addition, RF test chips with amplitude shift keying (ASK) demodulator and signal processing circuits were self-assembled onto the substrates and electrically connected by the lateral interconnections. We confirmed that these test chips work well.

Design of a power-efficient CAM using automated background checking scheme for small match line swing