Dynamic Cache Staging Buffer Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cache systems require separate and costly buffering for staging data, which increases latency and area usage, and do not efficiently manage cache block allocation for both caching and retransmission.
Innovation Solution
A cache system with a data memory and a cache control unit that dynamically allocates data entries to store cache blocks or staged data for retransmission, eliminating the need for separate buffering by using IOC storage for staging data directly between the interconnect and the data memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate buffering is provided between the data consumer and cache and/or between the cache and memory system, then data staging capability is improved, but area usage and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the staging buffer functionality with the cache structure by providing a data memory that serves both as cache storage and as staging buffer. The cache control unit dynamically manages the data memory to perform both caching operations and data staging operations, eliminating the need for separate buffering resources and reducing overall area usage while maintaining data staging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The data memory in the cache is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as traditional cache storage for recently accessed data and simultaneously serves as a staging buffer for data transfer operations. The cache control unit dynamically allocates the data memory between these two functions based on system needs, allowing one component to fulfill multiple roles and reduce the requirement for separate dedicated buffering structures
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate buffering is provided between the data consumer and cache and/or between the cache and memory system, then data staging capability is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the staging buffer functionality with the cache structure, the patent eliminates the need for data to be transferred through separate buffering stages. The data memory serves as both cache and staging buffer, allowing data to be staged directly within the cache structure without additional transfer steps, thereby reducing latency while maintaining staging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated data memory allows for continuous data flow between the interconnect, cache, and memory system without interruption for separate buffering operations. The cache control unit dynamically manages the data memory to maintain continuous data staging and transfer operations, eliminating idle time associated with separate buffer management and reducing overall system latency
3Ease of operation
If cache storage is allocated and deallocated in cache-block-sized units aligned to natural cache block boundaries, then cache management simplicity is improved, but flexibility for staging data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cache control unit dynamically allocates and deallocates data memory entries based on real-time system needs rather than following fixed cache block boundaries. This dynamic management allows the same data memory to be flexibly used for both cache blocks and staged data, maintaining simplicity in the physical structure while providing versatility in how the memory is utilized at any given moment
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a cache comprises a data memory comprising a plurality of data entries, each data entry having capacity to store a cache block of data, and a cache control unit coupled to the data memory. The cache control unit is configured to dynamically allocate a given data entry in the data memory to store a cache block being cached or to store data that is not being cache but is being staged for retransmission on an interface to which the cache is coupled.