Cache Status Word Update Merging Pipeline Stalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cache memory architectures experience performance degradation due to the need to stall and restart the update pipeline upon receiving multiple updates to the same status word within a short period, leading to unnecessary writes and reduced processor speed.
Innovation Solution
A method and logic module that allow for merging subsequent updates to a cache line status word while a previous update is being processed, eliminating the need for pipeline stalling and reducing unnecessary writes by combining updates into a single write operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the update pipeline is stalled and restarted upon receiving multiple updates to the same status word, then data accuracy is maintained, but processor speed and pipeline efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple updates to the same status word into a single update operation. When the cache controller receives multiple invalidation requests for the same cache line within a predetermined time period, it consolidates these requests and performs only one update to the status word, thereby eliminating pipeline stalls while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a preliminary check mechanism that detects whether multiple updates to the same status word are pending before the update pipeline is stalled. By anticipating potential duplicate updates and preparing to merge them in advance, the system avoids the need to stall and restart the pipeline, thus maintaining processor speed while ensuring data accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple updates to the same status word are processed sequentially with pipeline stalls, then update accuracy is ensured, but system performance and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple updates to the same status word into a single update operation. When the cache controller receives multiple invalidation requests for the same cache line within a predetermined time period, it consolidates these requests and performs only one update to the status word, thereby eliminating pipeline stalls while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous operation of the update pipeline by avoiding stalls and restarts. Through the merging mechanism, the pipeline can process updates continuously without interruption, ensuring that both update accuracy and system performance are maintained at high levels.
3Reliability
If the update pipeline is frequently stalled and restarted, then duplicate updates are prevented, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple updates to the same status word into a single update operation. When the cache controller receives multiple invalidation requests for the same cache line within a predetermined time period, it consolidates these requests and performs only one update to the status word, thereby eliminating pipeline stalls while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an automatic merging mechanism that operates without external intervention. The cache controller autonomously detects duplicate update requests, merges them, and executes the consolidated update, thereby simplifying pipeline management while preventing duplicate updates.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of merging subsequent updates to a memory location includes receiving, at a first stage in an update pipeline, a first request to update a status word at a first address of a cache memory and receiving the status word from the cache memory. The method continues with determining, at a stage subsequent to the first stage, that a second request to update the status word has been received. Further included is updating the status word according to the first and second requests to form an updated status word and writing the updated status word to the cache memory.