System and method utilizing speculative cache access for improved performance
US6647464B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/0855
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed which provide a cache structure that allows early access to the cache structure's data. A cache design is disclosed that, in response to receiving a memory access request, begins an access to a cache level's data before a determination has been made as to whether a true hit has been achieved for such cache level. That is, a cache design is disclosed that enables cache data to be speculatively accessed before a determination is made as to whether a memory address required to satisfy a received memory access request is truly present in the cache. In a preferred embodiment, the cache is implemented to make a determination as to whether a memory address required to satisfy a received memory access request is truly present in the cache structure (i.e., whether a “true” cache hit is achieved). Although, such a determination is not made before the cache data begins to be accessed. Rather, in a preferred embodiment, a determination of whether a true cache hit is achieved in the cache structure is performed in parallel with the access of the cache structure's data. Therefore, a preferred embodiment implements a parallel path by beginning the cac…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.