Universal content-addressable memory with high-endurance flash for functionally complete logic-in-memory computing

Multifunctional and long-lifespan memory is a promising element for implementing hardware in-memory computing (IMC) architectures. In this study, a universal content addressable memory (CAM) is proposed based on two high-endurance NOR flash (2F) memory cells, supporting binary CAM, ternary CAM, multibit CAM, and analog CAM modes. The proposed universal CAM unit facilitates 5-bit nonvolatile storage and $\text{10}^{10}$ program/erase cycles with minimal energy consumption of $~\sim~$0.27 fJ/bit/search. Furthermore, 16 types of functionally complete Boolean logic functions (e.g., AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR) are demonstrated through distinct mapping rules. These findings may offer considerable potential for developing energy-efficient, long-lifespan, and reconfigurable-logic IMC systems.