LANCAM 1ST Family
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The LANCAM 1ST family consists of high density content-
addressable memories (CAMs) in a variety of depths. Like the
other LANCAM series from MUSIC Semiconductors, the
LANCAM 1ST is ideal for time critical applications requiring
intensive list processing.
searches large databases for matching data in a short, constant
time period, no matter how many entries are in the database.
The ability to search data words up to 64 bits wide allows large
address spaces to be searched rapidly and efficiently. A
patented architecture links each CAM entry to associated data
and makes this data available for use after a successful
compare operation.
Content-addressable memories, also known as associative
memories, operate in the converse way to random access
memories (RAM). In RAM, the input to the device is an address
and the output is the data stored at that address. In CAM, the
input is a data sample and the output is a flag to indicate a
match and the address of the matching data. As a result, CAM
The MUSIC LANCAM 1ST is ideal for address filtering and
translation applications in LAN switches and routers. The
LANCAM 1ST is also well suited to encryption, data caches,
and branch tables.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
To use the LANCAM 1ST, the user loads the data into the
Comparand register, which is automatically compared to all
valid CAM locations. The device then indicates whether
or not one or more of the valid CAM locations contains
data that match the target data. The status of each CAM
location is determined by two validity bits at each memory
location. The two bits are encoded to render four validity
conditions: Valid, Skip, Empty, and Random Access, as
shown in Table 1. The memory can be partitioned into CAM
and associated RAM segments on 16-bit boundaries, but
by using one of the two available mask registers, the
CAM/RAM partitioning can be set at any arbitrary size
between zero and 64 bits.
automatically triggers a compare. Compares may also be
initiated by a command to the device. Associated RAM
data is available immediately after a successful compare
operation. The Status register reports the results of
compares including all flags and addresses. Two Mask
registers are available and can be used in two different
ways: to mask comparisons or to mask data writes. The
random access validity type allows additional masks to
be stored in the CAM array where they may be retrieved rapidly.
A simple three-wire control interface and commands
loaded into the Instruction decoder control the device.
A powerful instruction set increases the control flexibility
and minimizes software overhead. These and other
features make the LANCAM 1ST a powerful associative
memory that drastically reduces search delays.
The LANCAM 1ST’s internal data path is 64 bits wide for
rapid internal comparison and data movement. Loading data
to the Control, Comparand, and mask registers
Skip Bit
Empty Bit
Entry Type
Valid
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
Empty
Skip
GND
D Q4
D Q 5
VCC
VCC
7
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
NC
/MF
8
RAM
VCC
GND
/R
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Table 1: Entry Types vs. Validity Bits
44-pin PLCC
(Top View )
TEST2
GND
VCC
VCC
TEST 1
/E
GND
D Q6
/W
D Q7
VCC
GND
/W
/CM
LOW
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
Cycle Type
LOW
LOW
HIGH
HIGH
Command Write Cycle
Data Write Cycle
Command Read Cycle
Data Read Cycle
Table 2: I/O Cycles
Pinout Diagram
Rev. 1a
2