Multi-level instruction cache for a computer

Details Multi-level instruction cache for a computer Multi-level instruction cache for a computer

1996-12-18

1999-01-12

Chan, Eddie P.

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory

Storage accessing and control

Hierarchical memories

711125, G06F 1208

Patent

active

058600965

ABSTRACT:
A multi-level instruction cache memory system for a computer processor. A relatively large cache has both instructions and data. The large cache is the primary source of data for the processor. A smaller cache dedicated to instructions is also provided. The smaller cache is the primary source of instructions for the processor. Instructions are copied from the larger cache to the smaller cache during times when the processor is not accessing data in the larger cache. A prefetch buffer transfers instructions from the larger cache to the smaller cache. If a cache miss occurs for the smaller cache, and the instruction is in the prefetch buffer, the system provides the instruction with no delay relative to a fetch from the smaller instruction cache. If a cache miss occurs for the smaller cache, and the instruction is being fetched from the larger cache, or available in the larger cache, the system provides the instruction with minimal delay relative to a fetch from the smaller instruction cache.

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patent: 5553254 (1996-09-01), Berstis et al.
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