CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORY (CAM) DEVICES THAT SUPPORT BACKGROUND BIST AND BISR OPERATIONS AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME

Search engine devices include a content addressable memory (CAM) core having a plurality of CAM array blocks therein and a control circuit. The control circuit, which is electrically coupled to the plurality of CAM array blocks, is configured to perform built-in self repair (BISR) of hard memory defects and/or compare logic defects in the plurality of CAM array blocks concurrently with operations to search entries in the plurality of CAM array blocks.