The design of a predictive read cache
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Authors
Robert, Joseph R., Jr.
Subjects
VLSI (very large scale integrated) design
Memory address prediciton
VERILOG
EPOCH
Cache
Memory address prediciton
VERILOG
EPOCH
Cache
Advisors
Fouts, Douglas J.
Date of Issue
1996-03
Date
March 1996
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
The objective of this research has been the creation of a hardware design for a Predictive Read Cache (PRC). The PRC is a developmental cache intended to replace second-level caches common in modern microprocessor systems. The PRC has the potential of being faster and cheaper than current second-level caches and is distinctive in its ability to predict data addresses to be referenced by a central processing unit. Previous research has analyzed the behavior that the PRC must exhibit. During the described research, the behavior was modeled in the Verilog hardware description language. Verilog-XL was used for simulation, which uses the Verilog behavioral model as input. The behavioral model suggests that the internal structure of the PRC could be divided into six modules, each performing part of the function of the whole PRC. Each of these blocks was studied for hardware equivalents, easing the development of the total structural model. Using Verilog structural models as input, Epoch was used to automatically perform a very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuit layout and to generate timing information. The Epoch output files are used for further simulation with Verilog-XL to identify critical parts of the design. The result of this research is a complete hardware design for the PRC.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
189 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.