Data cache invalidate with data dependent expiration using a step value
US7996621B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
According to embodiments of the invention, a step value and a step-interval cache coherency protocol may be used to update and invalidate data stored within cache memory. A step value may be an integer value and may be stored within a cache directory entry associated with data in the memory cache. Upon reception of a cache read request, along with the normal address comparison to determine if the data is located within the cache a current step value may be compared with the stored step value to determine if the data is current. If the step values match, the data may be current and a cache hit may occur. However, if the step values do not match, the requested data may be provided from another source. Furthermore, an application may update the current step value to invalidate old data stored within the cache and associated with a different step value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.