White Paper

High-Performance Classification Using Embedded Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM)

With port speeds exceeding 100Gbps, route lookups that are a fundamental application to all routers have relied on ternary content addressable memories (TCAM) to provide a lookup response within a clock cycle. However, these devices in “discrete form” suffer from limitations in terms of power, cost and real estate and to some extent lack the required flexibility. Embedding a TCAM block along with the rest of the system in a single device should overcome these disadvantages. This paper provides an overview of advantages of embedded TCAMs and describes a few applications that could take advantage of embedded TCAM technology. [View more white papers]

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eFlexCAM™ Custom Embedded
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Binary and Ternary CAM (BCAM and TCAM) compilers in 28nm-180nm.

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SRAM, ROM, MPRF, CAM, and cache custom memories.

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Home WHAT Custom IP Ternary CAM

TCAM and BCAM Compilers

eSilicon embedded binary and ternary CAMs (BCAMs and TCAMs) have been provided to networking customers for over 10 years, helping these customers meet the demand for wire-speed packet processing, access control lists and other requirements of high-bandwidth delivery.

eSilicon binary and ternary CAMs are silicon proven in geometries from 180nm to 40nm. Our 28nm TCAM is available now.

High-Performance, High-Density Embedded CAM Compilers for Network Applications

eSilicon offers a broad range of silicon-proven, feature-rich, high-performance, high-density eFlex™ embedded CAM compilers. Our eFlexCAM™ compilers provide high-efficiency, cost-effective solutions for applications such as network search engines, cache for network processors, QoS services, classifications, Ethernet, ATM switches and other diverse networking applications. Silicon-proven search speeds exceed 740 MSPS for a 256X144 density (40nm process). Search speeds for the 28nm CAM exceed 850 MSPS.

User-Selectable Features

In addition to a full set of standard features, our eFlexCAM compilers provide a comprehensive set of user-selectable features that are chosen at compile time. Customers can choose just the features that they need for a specific application to optimize performance, power and area (PPA).

eSilicon’s philosophy for developing TCAMs is to customize the CAMs to end-customer requirements. This usually involves building custom logic and turning on multiple knobs to tune the area, power, performance to customer application requirements. The chart below shows some of the elements that eSilicon has successfully used in the past to meet customer targets.

Power Options


Performance


Area


Yield


Functional Options
  • Power Down
  • Pipelined Partial Evaluation
  • Periphery Shutdown
  • Low Vt Periphery Option for 850 MSPS
  • Auto Banking
  • Push-Rule Bit Cell 13% Smaller Than Logic Rule
  • Row / Column Redundancy
  • Priority Encoder
  • Multi-Width Search Mode
    • 512x144 (Single Word)
    • 2048x36 (Quarter Word)
    • 1024x72 (Half Word)
    • 256x288 (Double Word)

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