TCAM Series enables high-speed packet processing.
December 18, 2009 -
Suited for networking equipment such as routers and switches, R8A20410BG TCAM (Ternary Content Addressable Memory) offers capacity of 20 Mb and delivers high-speed search performance up to 360 MSPS (mega-searches per second)/Table. Each memory cell can store 3 data states, and flexible search conditions allow search bit length to be set to 40L/H, 80, 160, 320, 480, or 640 bits. Through cascade connections, capacity expansion is possible up to 40 Mb.
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Original Press release
Renesas Technology America, Inc.
450 Holger Way
San Jose, CA, 95134-1368
USA
Renesas Technology Introduces Industry's Highest Level Performance Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) Family
Designed for Multi-Layer Packet Processing in Networking Equipment such as Routers and Switches
-Deterministic, high-speed packet search up to 360 million searches per second (MSPS)/Table to enable 40G and beyond data transfer-
SAN JOSE, Calif.-Renesas Technology America, Inc., today introduced a high-performance TCAM (Ternary CAM)*1 Series, comprising a portfolio of TCAM memory products to enable high-speed packet processing for networking equipment such as routers and switches. The first product in the series is the R8A20410BG TCAM which has a capacity of 20 Mbits and delivers industry-leading high-speed search performance of up to 360 MSPS (mega-searches per second)/Table. Sample shipments will begin in December, 2009.
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 Technology 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 Technology) and experience built up over that time, the company now plans to release a line of general-purpose standard TCAM products to support the high growth rate of multi-layer packet processing in networking applications.
"Renesas, with its world-class design and manufacturing expertise, can provide network equipment vendors with TCAMs that have the industry's highest level search performance and lowest power, combined with very competitive pricing," said Rob Raghavan, sr. manager, marketing, Network Solutions Business Unit. "The TCAMs, combined with our industry-leading high-performance synchronous QDRII+ SRAMs, provide customers with multiple solutions for the packet processing line card."
The features of the R8A20410BG are summarized below.
(1) Renesas Technology's patented CAM cells and search circuits have a proven track record and deliver 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 increase look-up 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.
Product Background
Recent years have seen a notable expansion in the use of networks such as the Internet and Ethernet LANs. In the field of communications equipment such as networking components, there is strong demand for high-speed and highly reliable packet data transfer capabilities. This demand is expected to increase in the future.
One key device in achieving high-speed data transfer is the TCAM, which enables rapid lookup of data destinations, etc., and demand is growing for TCAM products with larger capacities and faster search speeds. However, CAM cells generally have a large surface area. This means that increasing the memory capacity to boost the amount of data that can be processed results in a larger chip size and higher power consumption.
In response to the growing market demand, Renesas Technology has used patented technology in TCAM cells, search circuits, etc., which was developed for custom TCAM products for tier one customers, to overcome problems related to achieving larger capacity and faster speeds while retaining low power consumption. The company now plans to release the Renesas Standard TCAM Series of general-purpose TCAM products that support flexible search conditions for a variety of networking equipment applications. The 20 Mbit R8A20410BG is the first product in the series.
Product Details
The R8A20410BG allows expansion up to 40 Mbits through cascade connections. The package is a 576-pin FCBGA (flip chip BGA) measuring 27 mm × 27 mm.
Moving forward, new products will continue to be added to the Renesas Standard TCAM Series lineup in response to evolving market requirements.
Notes:
1. TCAM (Ternary CAM): CAM (Content Addressable Memory) is a type of memory that compares data strings input from an external device with the data strings stored in the memory using simultaneous parallel operation and outputs the matches, enabling high-speed searching. As the use of networks, typified by the Internet, has spread widely in recent years, attention has focused on CAM as a key device for increasing the speed of packet forwarding (packet data transfers) by networking equipment. To accommodate networking equipment, each memory cell must be able to store three data states: 0, 1, and X ("Don't Care"). CAM, with a function for handling these three values, is called TCAM. (Ternary, meaning "composed of three items," refers to things or systems consisting of three elements, such as the ternary numeral system, a base-3 counting system.)
Product names, company names, or brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
Typical Applications
Communications equipment: Routers, switches, etc.
Pricing in U.S. *For Reference
Product Name Memory Capacity Package Sample Price
R8A20410BG 20-Mbit 576-pin FCBGA Pricing to be based on volume requirements
Specifications
Item R8A20410BG Specifications
Memory capacity 20-Mbit
Max. clock operating frequency 360 MHz
Searching speed 360 MSPS max. /Table at 80/160/320 bits
Search key 40L/H, 80, 160, 320, 480, or 640 bits
General purpose NPU connection Support for direct connection to Xelerated's HX family
Package 576-pin FCBGA (27 mm × 27 mm, 1.0 mm ball pitch)
About Renesas Technology Corp.
Renesas Technology Corp. is the world's No.1 supplier of microcontrollers and one of the world's leading semiconductor system solutions providers for mobile, automotive and PC/AV (Audio Visual) markets. It is also a leading provider of Power MOSFETs, Smart Card microcontrollers, RF-ICs, High Power Amplifiers, Mixed Signal ICs, System-on-Chip (SoC), System-in-Package (SiP) and more. Established in 2003 as a joint venture between Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, NYSE:HIT) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TSE:6503), Renesas Technology achieved consolidated revenue of 702.7 billion JPY in FY2008 (end of March 2009). Renesas Technology is based in Tokyo, Japan and has a global network of manufacturing, design and sales operations in 16 countries with 25,000 employees worldwide. For further information, please visit http://www.renesas.com
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