TCAM

Product Overview:

TCAM is a type of memory in which each memory cell can store three data states: 0, 1, and X (“Don’t Care”). It is suitable for applications such as networking equipment because it achieves deterministic, high-speed searches by using simultaneous parallel operation to compare data strings input from an external device with data strings stored in the memory and outputting the matches. As the use of networks, typified by the Internet, has spread widely in recent years, attention has focused on TCAMs as a key device for increasing the speed of packet forwarding (packet data transfers) by networking equipment by enabling high-speed lookup of destinations, etc., for large volumes of information during packet data transfers. Renesas Electronics has tremendous expertise in designing custom TCAM products for select tier one customers for many years. Building on the sophisticated technology (including CAM cells, search circuits, ultra-low power, and yield boost circuits exclusive to Renesas Electronics) and experience built up over that time, the company now plans to release a line of general-purpose standard TCAM products to accommodate the expansion in networking equipment mentioned above.

Key Features:

The features of the Renesas' TCAM product are summarized below.

1. Industry-leading, high-speed, low power data packet search Renesas Electronics’s patented CAM cells and search circuits have a proven track record and delivers high-speed search capability combined with ultra low power consumption.
   For example, at a clock frequency of 360 MHz, the search processing performance is 360 MSPS/Table, the highest level in the industry today.
   This makes it possible to design communications equipment offering superior performance.
2. Flexible search conditions to accommodate a broad range of applications Flexible search conditions allow the search bit length to be set to 40L/H, 80, 160, 320, 480, or 640 bits.
   In addition, functions such as four parallel independent search engines significantly increases lookup performance and provide support for a wide range of network applications.
3. Interoperability with Xelerated’s HX family of NPUs. The Renesas R8A20410BG TCAM is designed to seamlessly interwork with NPUs.
   The TCAM will be fully interoperable with Xelerated’s HX family of high performance Network Processors.
   Renesas is increasing the number of NPUs, which the R8A20410BG interoperates with, to provide a wide range of packet processing.

Key Applications:

Communications equipment: Routers, switches, etc.

Product Lineup:

The 20Mbit, 360MHz device can make deterministic packet searches at 360 MSPS/Table rates, for data transfer rates of 40Gbps and higher.
Renesas also provides a full portfolio of high-performance QDRII+ and DDRII+ SRAMs.