Non-volatile ternary content-addressable memory with bi-directional voltage divider control and multi-step search

A cell for a non-volatile ternary content-addressable (TCAM) memory is provided. The cell comprises a first variable resistive element, a first transistor and a charge control transistor. Two terminals of the first variable resistive element are respectively electrically coupled to a first search-line and a storage node. A drain electrode of the first transistor is electrically coupled to the storage node. A source electrode of the first transistor is electrically coupled to a low-side search-line. A gate electrode of the charge control transistor coupled to a match-line is electrically coupled to the storage node. When the cell operates in a search phase and the first transistor is turned on, a pulse voltage is applied across the first search-line and the low-side search-line for determining whether the voltage of the storage node is larger than a match threshold during the period of the pulse.