Memory unit and method of operation of a memory unit to handle operation requests

A method of operating a memory unit comprising:

• storing data in a data storage;
• receiving operation requests issued by an upstream source;
• storing an indication of operations performable by at least one downstream memory unit;
• and
• providing processing circuitry to perform operations on data stored in the data storage;
• and
• wherein, when an operation request to perform an operation is received, the method further comprises:
• determining when to control the processing circuitry to perform the operation and when to forward the operation to a downstream memory unit in dependence on whether the target data is stored in the data storage and said indication of operations performable by at least one downstream memory unit.

A memory device comprising:

• data storage means for storing data;
• operation controller means for receiving operation requests issued by an upstream source;
• downstream capabilities storage means for storing an indication of operations performable by at least one downstream memory unit;
• and
• processing means to perform operations on data stored in the data storage means under control of the operation controller means;
• wherein, when an operation request to perform an operation on target data is received from the upstream source, the operation controller further for determining when to control the processing means to perform the operation and when to forward the operation to a downstream memory unit dependent on whether the target data is stored in the data storage means and said indication of operations performable by at least one downstream memory unit.