Evolution of application-specific cache mappings

Reconfigurable caches offer an intriguing opportunity to tailor cache behavior to applications for better run-times and energy consumptions. While one may adapt structural cache parameters such as cache and block sizes, we adapt the memory-address-to-cache-index mapping function to the needs of an application. Using a LEON3 embedded multi-core processor with reconfigurable cache mappings, a metaheuristic search procedure, and MiBench applications, we show in this work how to accurately compare non-deterministic performances of applications and how to use this information to implement an optimization procedure that evolves application-specific cache mappings for the LEON3 multi-core processor.

Design of an Intelligent Data Cache with Replacement Policy

Embedded systems are designed for a variety of applications ranging from Hard Real Time applications to mobile computing, which demands various types of cache designs for better performance. Since real-time applications place stringent requirements on performance, the role of the cache subsystem assumes significance. Reconfigurable caches meet performance requirements under this context. Existing reconfigurable caches tend to use associativity and size for maximizing cache performance. This article proposes a novel approach of a reconfigurable and intelligent data cache (L1) based on replacement algorithms. An intelligent embedded data cache and a dynamic reconfigurable intelligent embedded data cache have been implemented using Verilog 2001 and tested for cache performance. Data collected by enabling the cache with two different replacement strategies have shown that the hit rate improves by 40% when compared to LRU and 21% when compared to MRU for sequential applications which will significantly improve performance of embedded real time application.