Data processing apparatus and method for performing a cache lookup in an energy efficient manner
US7529889B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for performing a cache lookup in an energy efficient manner. The data processing apparatus has at least one processing unit for performing operations and a cache having a plurality of cache lines for storing data values for access by that at least one processing unit when performing those operations. The at least one processing unit provides a plurality of sources from which access requests are issued to the cache, and each access request, in addition to specifying an address, further includes a source identifier indicating the source of the access request. A storage element is provided for storing for each source an indication as to whether the last access request from that source resulted in a hit in the cache, and cache line identification logic determines, for each access request, whether that access request is seeking to access the same cache line as the last access request issued by that source. The cache control logic is operable when handling an access request to constrain the lookup procedure to only a subset of the storage blocks within the cache if it is determined that the access request is to the same cache line as th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.