Software-controlled cache memory compartmentalization
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorSHINE CHUNG
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling compartmentalization of a cache memory. A cache memory including a plurality of storage components receives one or more externally generated cache compartment signals. Based on the one or more cache compartment signals, cache compartment logic in the cache memory selects one of the plurality of storage compartments to store data after a cache miss.
Claims25
A cache memory comprising:
- a plurality of storage compartments;
- one or more inputs to receive one or more cache compartment signals from a source external to the cache memory;
- and
- cache compartment logic to select based on the one or more cache compartment signals one of the plurality of storage compartments to store data after a cache miss.
An apparatus comprising:
- cache memory means for caching data;
- means for executing one or more instructions that indicate a cache compartment mode;
- and
- means for storing data in one of a plurality of storage compartments in the cache memory means based on the cache compartment mode.
An apparatus comprising:
- a cache memory;
- a processor to execute one or more instructions that indicate a cache compartment mode;
- and
- logic to store data in one of a plurality of storage compartments in the cache memory based on the cache compartment mode.
A computer system comprising:
- a processor;
- a cache memory coupled to the processor and having a plurality of storage compartments;
- and
- a system memory having stored therein sequences of instructions, including one or more instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to output one or more cache compartment signals to the cache memory, the cache compartment signals selecting one of the plurality of storage compartments to store data.
A method comprising the steps of:
- executing one or more processor instructions that indicate a cache compartment mode;
- and
- storing data in one of a plurality of storage compartments in a cache memory based on the cache compartment mode.
A computer-readable medium having a first sequence of instruction s stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:
- executing one or more processor instructions that indicate a cache compartment mode;
- and
- generating cache compartment signals based on the cache compartment mode, the cache compartment signals indicating one of a plurality of storage compartments in a cache memory in which data is to be stored.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.