A content addressable data manager microprocessor that implements in hardware many of the search functions of a database management system has been introduced by Advanced Micro Devices Inc, Sunny vale, California. Called the Am95C85 Content Addressable Data Manager co-processor, it is designed to offload from the main processor tasks such as sorting, searching, inserting and delet ing records. The part, in 1.6 micron CMOS, includes 1Kb of random access memory on-chip, and a control unit which accesses the part’s memory with a single command, without the need to provide physical addresses. Advanced Micro claims that the chip can do content-addressable searches for 8-byte fields in 10 microseconds, and up to 16 of the parts can be linked together where big databases are to be searched. The company sees applications for the part in networking and communications, file servers and high-speed graphics systems. The 16MHz version is $66.50 for 100-up, the 12MHz costs $49.20, and the Am95C85 is available now in production quantities.
