Patent ID: 6694407
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method of operating a cache memory, using commands which cause a transfer, of corresponding items of data between the cache memory and a main memory, which commands have an instruction component and an address component, the method comprising:defining a plurality of sub-sections within the memory space of the cache memory, each of which has an associated identifier, the sizes of the sub-sections being selectable from a range of sizes during the operation of the cache memory, the size of each subsection being identified by the associated identifier; extracting from the instruction component of a command a parameter corresponding to a selected one of the identifiers, the corresponding parameter being different for different commands; and transferring items of data corresponding to said command between the main memory and the sub-section of the memory space of the cache memory for which the associated identifier corresponds to the parameter of said command.