A CAM cell array according to embodiments of the present invention include
an array of CAM cells, each of the CAM cells comprising a first cell, the
first cell including a non-volatile storage element coupled to at least
one first data line and a match line; a match line controller coupled to
the match line; and a data line controller coupled to the data lines,
wherein a write operation is performed by changing a state of the
non-volatile storage element by providing data to the at least one data
line, wherein a read operation is performed by determining the state of
the non-volatile storage element through the at least one data line, and
wherein a comparison operation is performed by applying data to the at
least one data line and determining a match condition on the match line.