Content-Addressable Memory (CAM) is a special type of computer memory that, unlike conventional memory which accesses data by address, performs searches based on the content of the stored data.

Traditional memory systems like RAM operate by accessing data stored at specific addresses, whereas CAM allows data retrieval based on the actual content stored in memory cells. Instead of sequentially searching memory addresses to find a match, CAM compares the input search data with all stored data simultaneously, greatly accelerating the search process.

For this reason, CAM is mainly used in applications requiring high-speed searches, such as IP address lookup in network routers, cache memory systems, database accelerators, and artificial intelligence systems.

T-CAM (Ternary Content-Addressable Memory) differs from binary CAM by adding a “Don’t care” state, enabling faster and more flexible searches.

Ternell’s T-CAM is a Binary-Ternary Hybrid CAM, capable of hybrid operation that allows switching between binary CAM and ternary CAM modes within a single cell depending on the operating voltage.

Binary CAM Mode :Uses binary values (0 and 1) to store and search data. It is simpler and faster than ternary CAM but is limited to exact matches.
Therefore, binary CAM is suitable for straightforward, unambiguous applications such as basic IP address lookups.

Ternary CAM Mode : Operates in ternary mode at lower operating voltages, adding a third state—represented as “X” or “Don’t care”—to extend the capabilities of binary CAM. This allows ternary CAM to perform searches that ignore certain bits, enabling more flexible and complex matching operations.
Ternary CAM is used in advanced networking applications and security systems that require partial matching.