The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Oct. 13, 1998

Filed:

Apr. 23, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:

Gary W Thome, Tomball, TX (US);

Jens K Ramsey, Houston, TX (US);

Assignee:

Compaq Computer Corporation, Houston, TX (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
711128 ;
Abstract

In a microcomputer system using a multiple-way cache memory subsystem, the way of the next microprocessor operation is predicted, and either the output enables of the cache are predriven, or, in a single-bank multiple-way cache, the address bit which acts as a way selection is appropriately set. The way prediction used is based not on the address being accessed in the cache, but instead on the last processor code read, or the last processor code or data read. This permits the cache memory subsystem to respond more quickly on hits to the appropriate way, and also allows for slower cache memories to be used without reducing performance.


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