Dual-granularity state tracking for directory-based cache coherence

摘要

A system and method of providing directory cache coherence are disclosed. The system and method may include tracking the coherence state of at least one cache block contained within a region using a global directory, providing at least one region level sharing information about the least one cache block in the global directory, and providing at least one block level sharing information about the at least one cache block in the global directory. The tracking of the provided at least one region level sharing information and the provided at least one block level sharing information may organize the coherence state of the at least one cache block and the region.

主权项

1. A method of providing directory cache coherence, said method comprising:
tracking the coherence state of at least one cache block contained within a region using a global directory; providing at least one region level sharing information about said at least one cache block in the global directory; and providing at least one block level sharing information about said at least one cache block in the global directory, wherein said tracking of said provided at least one region level sharing information and said provided at least one block level sharing information organize the coherence state of the at least one cache block and the region, wherein at least one of said provided at least one region level sharing information and at least one block level sharing information comprise a counter, and wherein said counter identifies when no on-chip sharers exist for said at least one cache block.