Associative Memory (Computer Architecture)

Traditional memory stores data at a specific address and "recalls" that data later if the address is specified. Instead of an address, associative memory can recall data if a small portion of the data itself is specified.


Associative memory is often referred to as content. Addressable memory (CAM). In associative memory, any stored items can be accessed by using the contends of item. Items are stored in an associative memory have two field format, key and data.

Associative searching is based on simultaneous matching of key to be searched with stored key associated with each line of data.



The following diagram shows the block representation of an associative memory.

From the block diagram we can say that an associative memory consists of a memory array and logic for 'm' words with 'n' bits per word. 

The functional registers like the argument register A and key register K each have n bits, are for each bit of a word. The match register m consist of M bits, one for each memory word.