Cache array defect functional bypassing using repair mask

Details Cache array defect functional bypassing using repair mask Cache array defect functional bypassing using repair mask

1997-04-14

1999-09-28

Palys, Joseph E.

Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery

Data processing system error or fault handling

Reliability and availability

714 42, 714 43, 714 44, 714 52, 714 54, 711133, 711144, G06F 1100

Patent

active

059580682

ABSTRACT:
A method of bypassing defects in a cache used by a processor of a computer system. A repair mask has an array of bit fields corresponding to cache lines in the cache, and when a particular cache line in the cache is identified as being defective, a corresponding bit field in the repair mask array is set to indicate that the particular cache line is defective, and further access to the defective cache line is prevented, based on the corresponding bit field in the repair mask array. The repair mask can be used to prevent the defective cache line from ever resulting in a cache hit, and to prevent the defective cache line from ever being chosen as a victim for cache replacement. Using a set associative cache, the defective cache line is thereby effectively removed from its respective congruence class. This approach allows the cache to use all non-defective cache lines without any cache lines being reserved for redundancy.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4216541 (1980-08-01), Clover et al.
patent: 4905141 (1990-02-01), Brenza
patent: 5019971 (1991-05-01), Lefsky et al.
patent: 5070502 (1991-12-01), Supnik
patent: 5255384 (1993-10-01), Sachs et al.
patent: 5371865 (1994-12-01), Aikawa et al.
patent: 5390186 (1995-02-01), Murata et al.
patent: 5434814 (1995-07-01), Cho et al.
patent: 5459856 (1995-10-01), Inoue
patent: 5467457 (1995-11-01), Kohda et al.
patent: 5488702 (1996-01-01), Byers et al.
patent: 5502333 (1996-03-01), Bertin et al.
patent: 5551004 (1996-08-01), McClure
patent: 5553254 (1996-09-01), Berstis et al.
patent: 5701431 (1997-12-01), Whittaker
patent: 5787479 (1998-07-01), Jessani et al.
patent: 5802563 (1998-09-01), Hagersten et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Cache array defect functional bypassing using repair mask does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Cache array defect functional bypassing using repair mask, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cache array defect functional bypassing using repair mask will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-697964