Content addressable memory (CAM) in which search results such as an
address code and an array match signal can be obtained for multiple
search widths. The CAM includes a CAM array that can provide match
signals and suppress signals for memory locations. Match combining
circuitry combines the match signals for memory locations to obtain
combined match signals; the combination depends on an indicated search
width, which can be one of a set of multiples of the memory location
width. A priority encoder provides a priority signal indicating a
combined match signal that has priority and is asserted; the priority
encoder can therefore be smaller than would be necessary to prioritize
all the match signals. An address encoder obtains most significant bits
of an address code in response to the priority signal. Select circuitry
responds to the priority signal by selecting match signals and suppress
signals for the combined match signal with priority. The selected match
signals are used to obtain least significant bits (LSBs) of the address
code in accordance with the search width. The LSBs, selected suppress
signals, and a PE match signal from the priority encoder are used to
obtain an array match signal.