Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Koen R C Bennebroek

Thomas M Wicki

A method, cache system, and cache controller are provided. A two-way and n-way cache organization scheme are presented as at least two embodiments of a set-associative external cache that utilizes standard burst memory devices such as DDR (double data rate) memory devices. The set-associative cache organization scheme is designed to fully utilize burst efficiencies during snoop and invalidation operations. Cache lines are interleaved in such a way that a first burst transfer from the cache to the cache controller brings in a plurality of tags.

N-way set-associative external cache with standard DDR memory devices

An n-way interleaved set-associative external cache utilizes standard burst memory devices such as DDR (double data rate) memory devices. The interleaved set-associative cache organization scheme is designed to fully utilize burst efficiencies during snoop and invalidation operations. Cache lines are interleaved in such a way that a first burst transfer from the cache to the cache controller brings in a plurality of tags. The contents of the memory level device locations associated with each tag are stored in an alternating pattern in contiguous memory locations.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Koen R C Bennebroek