CACHE MEMORY AND CACHE CONTROL METHOD

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cache memory capable of efficiently realizing improvement in performance and reduction in power consumption in cache memory control of a mechanism capable of dynamically controlling a capacity to be operated, and a control method thereof. SOLUTION: A hit determination means 24 determines a hit way in case that a cache access is hit. A way number increase/decrease determination means 2 manages the order of each way in operation, including from the one with the latest used time to the one with the oldest time. The determination means 2 determines which order of ways the hit way obtained by the determination means 23 corresponds to, and counts the hit number for every order. The determination means 2 determines whether the operation way number is increased or decreased from an access pattern shown by the relation of hit number to each order. A way number control means 4 selects operation or stop of each way according to the determination of increase/decrease of the operation way number. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI