Coherent Victim Cache Parallel Paths to Reduce Read-Modify-Write Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing systems face significant latency in data access due to the time required to retrieve data from main memory, which can be mitigated by incorporating a cache system, but victim caches in series with main caches introduce additional latency as they wait for main caches to determine data availability before servicing memory operations.
Innovation Solution
A cache system with parallel data paths is implemented, where both main and victim caches operate in parallel to determine data availability simultaneously, reducing overall cache latency and improving efficiency by allowing the victim cache to service misses without waiting for the main cache.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a victim cache is placed in series with the main cache to handle evicted data, then cache hit rate is improved, but access latency increases because the victim cache must wait for the main cache to determine data availability
Solution Approach 1:
The cache system is segmented into a main cache and a victim cache that operate independently through separate parallel data paths. The main cache handles primary data storage while the victim cache specifically handles evicted data, allowing simultaneous operation without sequential waiting, thus resolving the latency issue while maintaining improved hit rates
Solution Approach 2:
A cache controller acts as an intermediary that receives memory operations and simultaneously directs them to both the main cache and victim cache through parallel data paths. This mediator enables both caches to service requests concurrently, eliminating the sequential waiting protocol that caused latency while maintaining the reliability benefits of the victim cache
2Stability of the object's composition
If the victim cache waits for the main cache to determine data availability before servicing operations, then data consistency is maintained, but the number of cycles for write operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache controller performs preliminary routing of write operations to both the main cache and victim cache simultaneously through parallel data paths, rather than sequentially waiting. This preliminary parallel action maintains data consistency through coordinated updates while dramatically reducing the number of cycles required for write operations
3Speed
If parallel data paths are implemented for main and victim caches, then processing speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both main cache and victim cache operations through a unified parallel processing architecture. This universal controller manages multiple data paths and cache types simultaneously, achieving high-speed parallel processing while containing complexity through integrated design rather than separate dedicated controllers for each cache type
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed facilitate read-modify-write support in a coherent victim cache with parallel data paths. An example apparatus includes a random-access memory configured to be coupled to a central processing unit via a first interface and a second interface, the random-access memory configured to obtain a read request indicating a first address to read via a snoop interface, an address encoder coupled to the random-access memory, the address encoder to, when the random-access memory indicates a hit of the read request, generate a second address corresponding to a victim cache based on the first address, and a multiplexer coupled to the victim cache to transmit a response including data obtained from the second address of the victim cache.