Patent attributes
A method for an associative memory device includes storing a plurality of pairs of multi-bit operands X and Y in rows of a memory array of the associative memory device, each pair in a different column of the memory array. Cells in a column are connected by a first bit-line providing a value of activated cells and a second bit-line providing an inverse value of the activated cells. The bits of X are stored in first rows and the bits of Y are stored in second rows. The method includes reading an inverse value of a bit stored in each of the second rows using the second bit-line, writing it to third rows and concurrently, on all columns, performing multi-bit add operations between a value of X, an inverse value of Y and a carry-in bit initiated to 1, providing the difference between X and Y in each of the columns.