Implementation of a Standby-Power-Free CAM Based on Complementary Ferroelectric-Capacitor Logic

A complementary ferroelectric-capacitor (CFC) logic-circuit style is proposed for a compact and standby-power-free content-addressable memory (CAM). Since the use of the CFC logic circuit in designing a CAM cell makes it possible to merge both logic and non-volatile storage elements into serially connected ferroelectric capacitors, the CAM becomes compact. The standby power of the CAM is completely eliminated because the supply voltage can be cut off with maintaining stored data in the CAM. The test chip is fabricated by using 0.35-mum ferroelectric CMOS, and the basic behavior can be also measured.