METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SINGLE CYCLE CACHE ACCESS ON DOUBLE WORD BOUNDARY CROSS

摘要

A cache memory system and method control a random access read/write cache memory (122) that stores a plurality of cache data lines (148). The bytes in each cache data line (148) correspond to bytes stored in sequential addresses in a main memory (104). The cache memory (122) is organized to provide storage of a plurality of double words in each cache data line (148). To retain main memory consistency, input circuitry receives and aligns data before storage in the cache memory (122). A separate instruction output path (114) provides access to a plurality of double words in a single cycle. A separate data output path (112) provides access to data that crosses a double word boundary in a single cycle and provides the data as aligned data.