Example of RTL for CAM

[luc]

Hi!

I'd like to implement a fully associative cache and I am wondering how
to implement the content addressed mem? I don't think vendor libraries
include such a mem. How would a designer do that?

Thank in advance for any pointers you could forward regarding this
topic.

Regards,
luc

 

[Kim Enkovaara]

luc wrote:

I'd like to implement a fully associative cache and I am wondering how
to implement the content addressed mem? I don't think vendor libraries
include such a mem. How would a designer do that?

Usually CAMs are part of the vendor deliverables. But they need to be generated by
specialised CAM compilers, or ordered from the vendor with a hefty sum of money.
Often small TLB style CAMs can be generated by the customer, and big ones
have to be ordered from the vendor.

CAM made with RTL code is possible, if the size is quite small and the speed
reuirements are not so great. It's just a pile of flipflops, xor gates and a
priority encoder. But without full custom layout routing and congestion becomes
a real problem if the size is not small.

--Kim