Patent ID: 7523268

Claim:
A cache, comprising: a first unit comprising: a first pipeline of latches; and an overrun pipeline of latches coupled to said first pipeline of latches; wherein said first unit is configured to receive a new snoop request, wherein said new snoop request is entered in a first available latch in said first pipeline of latches said first unit when said first unit is not full; a selector coupled to said first unit, wherein said first unit is configured to dispatch said new snoop request to said selector upon entering a bottom latch in said first pipeline of latches in said first unit, wherein said first unit is further configured to store a copy of said new snoop request in a top latch in said overrun pipeline of latches in said first unit upon dispatching said new snoop request; and an arbitration mechanism coupled to said first unit and to said selector, wherein said arbitration mechanism is configured to send to said first unit an indication as to whether said new snoop request was accepted or rejected, wherein said indication is received by a control unit in said first unit upon said copy of said new snoop request reaching a bottom latch in said overrun pipeline of latches in said first unit.