Data cache and method using a stack memory for storing stack dat

Details Data cache and method using a stack memory for storing stack dat Data cache and method using a stack memory for storing stack dat

1996-03-18

1999-07-27

Gossage, Glenn

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory

Storage accessing and control

Hierarchical memories

711126, G06F 1300

Patent

active

059308206

ABSTRACT:
A data cache and method for manipulating data in a microprocessor are disclosed. The data cache stores stack data within a stack memory separate from a cache line oriented storage used for non-stack data. Data may be pushed, popped, and accessed via an offset from the stack memory without generating main memory addresses. A load/store unit coupled to the data cache may be configured to perform the address generation associated with stack accesses in parallel with performing the access to the stack memory. If the corresponding data is not stored within the stack memory, then an access to the cache line oriented storage may be performed. Therefore, no time penalty is assessed for missing the stack memory. A stack memory is contemplated for use with respect to subroutine parameter passing. The calling routine may perform multiple push commands to place parameters for use by the subroutine onto the stack. The subroutine may then access and modify the parameters upon the stack. Finally, the calling routine may perform multiple pop commands to remove the parameters from the stack.

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