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Cache
A small fast memory, holds recently accessed data and is designed to speed up access to the same data.
Cache Memory A special buffer storage, smaller and faster then main storage, used to hold the copy of instructions and data in the main storage which are likely needed next by the processor.
Characteristics Memory System: UCLAPPPO Location Capacity Unit of transfer Access method Performance (Act) Physical type (smo) Physical characteristics Organisation
Location
CPU Internal ( in terms of 1byte=8 bits or words) Common word lengths are 8,16,32 External (in term of bytes)
Capacity
Word is same as bits
Word size
The natural unit of organisation Size of the word is equal to the number of bits
Number of words
or Bytes
Unit of Transfer
Internal
Usually governed by data bus width
External
Usually a block which is much larger than a word
Addressable unit
Smallest location which can be uniquely addressed Word internally 2a=N
Direct
Individual blocks have unique address Access is by jumping to vicinity (pattern, Track no, sector) plus sequential search Access time depends on location and previous location e.g. disk
Associative
Data is located by a comparison with contents of a portion of the store Access time is independent of location or previous access e.g. cache
Performance
Access time
Time between presenting the address and getting the valid data
Transfer Rate
Rate at which data can be moved 4 ram equal to 1/cycle time 4 non random (page 132)
Memory Hierarchy
Registers
In CPU
External memory
Backing store
Physical Types
Semiconductor
RAM
Magnetic
Disk & Tape
Optical
CD & DVD
Others
Bubble Hologram
Physical Characteristics
Decay (volatile) Information lost when electric power is switched off Volatility (magnetic surface memories) Erasable Power consumption
For Ram Organisation is a key design issue Physical arrangement of bits into words Not always obvious e.g. interleaved
How fast?
Time is money
How expensive?
Hierarchy List
Registers L1 Cache L2 Cache Main memory Disk cache Disk Optical Tape
Locality of Reference
During the course of the execution of a program, memory references tend to cluster e.g. loops
Cache
Small amount of fast memory Sits between normal main memory and CPU May be located on CPU chip or module
Cache Design
Addressing Size Mapping Function Replacement Algorithm Write Policy Block Size Number of Caches
Cache Addressing
Where does cache sit?
Between processor and virtual memory management unit Between MMU and main memory
Speed
More cache is faster (up to a point) Checking cache for data takes time
Mapping Function
Cache of 64kByte Cache block of 4 bytes
i.e. cache is 16k (214) lines of 4 bytes