DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH MULTI-WAY SET ASSOCIATIVE CACHE

摘要

A data processing system (10) and method thereof utilize a unique cache architecture that performs class prediction in a multi-way set associative cache (22) during either or both of handling a memory access request by an anterior cache (14) and translating a memory access request to an addressing format compatible with the multi-way set associative cache (22). Class prediction may be performed using a class predict data structure (20, 160) with a plurality of predict array elements partitioned into sub-arrays that is accessed using a hashing algorithm to retrieve selected sub-arrays. In addition, a master/slave class predict architecture (30) may be utilized to permit concurrent access to class predict information by multiple memory access request sources (12, 40). Moreover, a cache (22) may be configured to operate in multiple associativity modes by selectively utilizing either class predict information or address information related to a memory access request in the generation of an index into the cache data array.