Tracking memory block access frequency in processor-based devices

Abstract

Tracking memory block access frequency in processor-based devices is disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a processor-based device provides a processing element (PE) that is configured to include an access count table for tracking accesses to memory blocks. The access count table is a packed table that comprises a plurality of access count values, each of which corresponds to a memory block of a plurality of memory blocks. Upon detecting a memory access operation (i.e., data-side operations such as memory load operations, memory store operations, atomic increment operations, set operations, and the like, or instruction-side operations such as code fetch operations) directed to a given memory block, the PE increments an access count value corresponding to the memory block. The access count value then can be accessed (e.g., by a process executing on the PE), and used to determine an access frequency for the memory block.