Prediction Confirmation for Cache Subsystem

A method comprising:

• generating, using a prediction circuit and in response to a cache access request, a prediction of a particular one of a plurality of ways in a cache memory includes a particular cache line associated with the cache access request;
• determining, using a comparison circuit, if the prediction is correct, wherein the determining comprises comparing a first tag associated with the particular cache line and a second tag associated with the particular one of the plurality of ways;
• setting, in a confirmation bit memory and in response to determining that the prediction was correct, a confirmation bit;
• and
• foregoing determining if the prediction was correct for a subsequent cache access request to the particular cache line in response to determining that the confirmation bit is set in the confirmation bit memory.

A system comprising:

• a requestor circuit configured to initiate a cache access request;
• and
• a cache subsystem, wherein the cache subsystem includes:
• a cache controller configured to receive the cache access request;
• a prediction circuit configured to, in response to a cache access request, generate a prediction of a particular one of a plurality of ways in a cache memory includes a particular cache line associated with the cache access request;
• a comparison circuit configured to determine if the prediction is correct, wherein, to determine if the prediction is correct, the comparison circuit is configured to compare a first tag associated with the particular cache line and a second tag associated with the particular one of the plurality of ways;
• and
• a confirmation bit memory, wherein the prediction circuit is configured to, in response to the comparison circuit determining that the prediction was correct, set a confirmation bit in the confirmation bit memory;
• wherein the cache controller is configured to, for a subsequent cache access request for the particular cache line, inhibit the comparison circuit from determining if the prediction is correct in response to determining that the confirmation bit is set in the confirmation bit memory.