Homogeneous Dual Core Processor Cache Flush Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in trusted computing is to effectively protect isolated data stored in an isolated storage space from being inadvertently deleted by cache flush operations initiated by a normal core.
Innovation Solution
A homogeneous dual computing system is implemented using two homogeneous cores within the same processor, where a trusted core has access to an isolated storage space and a normal core does not. A second cache write-back instruction is executed by the trusted core in response to a cache flush instruction from the normal core, ensuring that isolated data is written back to the isolated storage space before being flushed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a normal core issues a cache flush instruction to clean the shared cache, then the cache is cleared and normal computing performance is improved, but isolated data cached in the shared cache is accidentally deleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cache management process into two distinct phases: a write-back phase executed by the trusted core that identifies and writes back isolated data to the isolated storage space, and a flush phase executed by the normal core that clears the shared cache. This segmentation ensures that isolated data is protected before the cache is flushed, resolving the contradiction between cache flush efficiency and isolated data security.
2Reliability
If the trusted core executes a second cache write-back instruction to protect isolated data, then isolated data is written back to isolated storage space before flushing, but the cache flush operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a trusted core that acts as a mediator between the normal core's cache flush operation and the shared cache. The trusted core executes a special write-back instruction that identifies isolated data through address range checking and writes it back to the isolated storage space before the cache is flushed. This intermediary approach protects isolated data while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor for building a homogeneous dual computing system is shown. The processor has a trusted core, a normal core, and a shared cache. The trusted core has an access right to an isolated storage space of a system memory. The normal core is homogeneous with the trusted core, and is prohibited from accessing the isolated storage space. In response to a cache flush instruction issued by the normal core, the trusted core initiates and executes a second cache write-back instruction that is different from the first cache write-back instruction. According to the second cache write-back instruction, isolated data associated with the isolated storage space and cached in the shared cache is written back to the isolated storage space before being flushed.