Patent ID: 6944724
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for decoupling a tag access from a corresponding data access within a cache memory, comprising: receiving a memory request at the cache memory, wherein the memory request includes an address identifying a memory location associated with the memory request; and performing the tag access by looking up at least one tag from a tag array within the cache memory and comparing the at least one tag with a tag portion of the address to determine if a cache line containing the address is located in the cache memory; wherein if the tag lookup causes a cache hit, because the cache line containing the address is located in the cache memory, but a data array containing the cache line is busy, the method further comprises performing the corresponding data access to the data array at a later time when the data array becomes free; wherein if the memory request is for a load operation, the corresponding data access takes place without waiting for preceding load operations to complete; wherein executing the data access without waiting for preceding load operations to complete involves: wherein performing the corresponding data access at a later time involves: