System and method for mapping memory addresses to locations in set-associative caches

Abstract

A circuit and corresponding method map memory addresses onto cache locations within set-associative (SA) caches of various cache sizes. The circuit comprises a modulo-arithmetic circuit that performs a plurality of modulo operations on an input memory address and produces a plurality of modulus results based on the plurality of modulo operations performed. The plurality of modulo operations performed are based on a cache size associated with an SA cache. The circuit further comprises a multiplexer circuit and an output circuit. The multiplexer circuit outputs selected modulus results by selecting modulus results from among the plurality of modulus results produced. The selecting is based on the cache size. The output circuit outputs a cache location within the SA cache based on the selected modulus results and the cache size. Such mapping of the input memory address onto the cache location is performed at a lower cost relative to a general-purpose divider.