ERROR DETECTION AND CORRECTION IN BINARY CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORY (BCAM)

A binary content addressable memory (BCAM) is disclosed. The BCAM includes a memory array, data signature circuitry, and a data match module and compare circuitry. The memory array is configured to store a data entry for a data word and a corresponding data signature for the data entry. The data signature circuitry is configured to calculate the data signature for the data entry and to calculate the data signature for an input word. The data match module compares the data entry to the input word to produce a content match output, and compares the data signature for the data entry to the data signature of the input word to produce a signature match output. The compare circuitry compares the content match output and the data signature match output.