Apparatus and method for separately layering cache and architectural specific functions in different operational controllers to facilitate design extension

摘要

Cache and architectural functions within a cache controller are layered and provided with generic interfaces, isolating controller logic from specific architectural complexities. Controller logic may thus be readily duplicated to extend a nonshared cache controller design to a shared cache controller design, with only straightforward modifications required. Throttling of processor-initiated operations handled by the same controller logic resolves operation flow rate issues with acceptable performance trade-offs.