Pixel cache, method of operating pixel cache, and image processing device including pixel cache

摘要

A method of operating a pixel cache having a plurality of line-fill units and configured to fetch an image stored in a main memory comprises: receiving a request for image data from an image processing device and outputting the image data if it is determined to be present in the pixel cache (i.e. a hit). If the requested image data is determined not to be present in the pixel cache (i.e. a miss), the image data is fetched from the main memory and stored in the pixel cache line-fill units. The image data is requested/supplied in image planes where an image plane includes at least a 2x2 pixel array and has a size equivalent to the capacity of the pixel cache linefill units. A pixel cache additionally including a tag memory for tag frames and an associated image processing device are also claimed. By providing an image pixel cache, faster access to image data may be provided in the first instance without necessitating time-consuming access to the main memory. Such access facilitates faster processing of the requested image data.