A two-way set-associative cache memory uses blocks of four words. The cache can accommodate a total of 2048 words from the main memory. The main memory size is 128K x 32. 5m Dec2005

By | November 4, 2014

What is cache memory?                                                                                5m Dec2005

A two-way set-associative cache memory uses blocks of four words.

The cache can accommodate a total of 2048 words from the main memory.

The main memory size is 128K x 32. What are the sizes of the following?

  1.      TAG
  2.      INDEX
  3.      Data
  4.      Cache Memory

 

Cache Memory

Cache memory is an extremely fast, small memory between CPU and main memory whose access time is closer to the processing speed of the CPU. It acts as a high-speed buffer between CPU and main memory and is used to temporarily store currently active data and instructions during processing. Since the cache memory is faster than main memory, the processing speed is increased by making data and instructions needed in present processing available in the cache memory.

 

What are the sizes of:-

Main memory is respresented as = 128K x 32, Therefore

Main memory Size = 128K Words = 27 * 210 = 217

The Maximum size of physical memory address in the present machine= 17 bits

Main Memory word size = 32 bits

Answer 3:      Data is equal to main  memory word size = 32 bits

Cache memory is respresented as = 2048 words, and Cache memory uses blocks of four words, Therefore

Cache Memory Size = 2048/4 = 512 Blocks

Answer 4:       Cache Memory Size in bits = 2048*32 = 64*1024 = 64K bits or 8K btyes

Cache Sets in two-way set-associative = 512/2 = 256 Sets

Cache Memory Block size = 32*4 = 128 bits

⇒1 Block of Cache = 4 Words of RAM

⇒ Total number of possible Blocks in Main Memory = 128K/4 = 32K blocks

Format_Address_mapping

Division of Address bits:

Memory Address ( 17 bits )

Block Address ( 15 bits )

Block offset ( 2 bits )

Tag

Index

Block offset ( 2 bits )

 

Block offset = 2 comes from

1 Block of Cache = 4 Words of RAM and 4 = 22 = block offset

 

Memory Address (17 bits )

Block Address ( 15 bits )

Block offset ( 2 bits )

Tag ( 7 bits )

Index ( 8 bits )

Block offset ( 2 bits )

Index of 2w set-associative mapping = 8 comes from

 

In case Direct Mapping:-

Cache Memory Size = 2048/4 = 512 Blocks i.e. 512= 29 = index

In case 2w set-associative mapping:-

Cache Memory Size = 2048/4 = 512/2 Sets/ i.e. 256= 28 = index 

Answer 2:      Index of 2w set-associative mapping =8 bits

Tag is the remaining from Block Address – Index = 15 – 8 = 7 bits

Answer 1:      Tag of 2w set-associative mapping =7 bits