Patent · US Expired

Trace victim cache

US6216206A · kind A · utility

42Cited by
6References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 1997
Grant dateApr 10, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 16, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F12/0875
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A cache memory includes a data array and a trace victim cache. The data array is adapted to store a plurality of trace segments. Each trace segment includes at least one trace segment member. The trace victim cache is adapted to store plurality of entries. Each entry includes a replaced trace segment member selected for replacement from one of the plurality of trace segments. A method for accessing cached instructions, the cached instructions being stored in a data array, the cached instructions being organized in trace segments, the trace segment having a plurality of trace segment members, includes retrieving a first trace segment member of a first trace segment; identifying an expected location within the data array of at least one subsequent trace segment member of the first trace segment; determining if the subsequent trace segment member is stored in the data array at the expected location; and determining if the subsequent trace segment member is stored in a trace victim cache if the subsequent trace segment member is not stored in the data array at the expected location.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.