Method, system, and apparatus for efficient trace cache

#The disclosure is related to trace caches, specifically, to revise a trace to improve efficiency.

#In a computer or computing system, a cache stores information in order to decrease data retrieval times for a processor. Some examples of computing systems are a personal digital assistant, internet tablet, and a cellular phone. The cache stores specific subsets of information in high-speed memory. A few examples of information are instructions, addresses, and data. When a processor requests a piece of information, the system checks the cache first to see if the information is stored within the cache. If so, the processor can retrieve the information much faster than if the data was stored in other computer readable media, such as, random access memory, a hard drive, compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM), or a floppy disk.

#One particular type of cache is a trace cache. A trace cache is utilized for building, caching and delivering traces to a processor. A trace is one or more instructions that sometimes are distinguishable from one another by their first segment, commonly referred to as a “trace head”. A few problems arise with the formation of a trace cache and result in a non-optimal trace. For example, a non-optimal trace may result from a system reset condition or general interrupt request may prevent the completion of a trace and results in an interrupted trace build. As a result of the interrupted trace build, another trace needs to be formed from scratch. Thus, the formation of another trace decreases the efficiency of the trace cache. Another example of a non-optimal trace is the absence of a branch at the end of a trace. This may indicate an incomplete trace and requires a time consuming search for another trace.

#Claimed subject matter is particularly and distinctly pointed out in the concluding portion of the specification. The claimed subject matter, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a diagram of a trace cache utilized by an embodiment.

#FIG. 2 is a diagram of a trace cache utilized by an embodiment.

#In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the claimed subject matter.

#An area of current technological development relates to improving processor efficiency and operating bandwidth. As previously described, there are problems that arise during the formation of a trace cache that result in a non-optimal trace. A non-optimal trace may be incomplete, interrupted, or inefficient. The trace cache's efficiency suffers from non-optimal traces because of the duplicative task of building another trace and/or locating and moving to another trace. However, the efficiency of the trace cache may be improved, for example, by implementing a method and/or an apparatus to heal the non-optimal trace. Thus, the healed trace improves efficiency of the trace cache because the healed trace eliminates the duplicative task of building another trace and/or eliminates the process of locating and moving to another trace.

#In one aspect, the claimed subject matter identifies non-optimal traces, such as, inefficient, interrupted, and incomplete traces. In another aspect, the claimed subject matter increases the trace cache's efficiency by healing the non-optimal trace. In yet another aspect, the claimed subject matter identifies and heals non-optimal traces.