Victim Cache Partitioning for Lower Write-Miss Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The latency in accessing data from memory in computing systems is significant, and existing cache systems do not effectively reduce conflict misses and overall cache latency, particularly in direct mapped caches.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a victim cache that stores evicted data from the main cache, allowing it to service cache misses directly without waiting for the main cache to determine data availability, thereby reducing latency and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a traditional cache system is used, then the cache structure is simple, but the cache latency is high and conflict misses cannot be effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cache system is segmented into two independent portions: a first cache portion and a second cache portion. Each portion can independently service cache requests, allowing write misses to be handled by the second portion without blocking the first portion. This segmentation reduces cache latency by enabling parallel processing of cache operations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Productivity
If a victim cache is added to service cache misses, then cache latency is reduced, but the cache system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cache is divided into two functional portions that operate independently. The first cache portion handles standard cache operations while the second cache portion specifically handles write misses and evicted data. This segmentation improves cache efficiency by allowing simultaneous servicing of different cache request types without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cache portion serves multiple functions: it stores evicted data from the first cache portion, services write misses independently, and can provide data to both the first cache portion and external memory. This multi-functionality improves cache efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to facilitate write miss caching in cache system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first cache storage; a second cache storage, wherein the second cache storage includes a first portion operable to store a first set of data evicted from the first cache storage and a second portion; a cache controller coupled to the first cache storage and the second cache storage and operable to: receive a write operation; determine that the write operation produces a miss in the first cache storage; and in response to the miss in the first cache storage, provide write miss information associated with the write operation to the second cache storage for storing in the second portion.