In this paper we present a robust technique to reduce the power consumption for a 4-way set-associativity cache. Our algorithm is a modification of the technique proposed by Choi et al, [5] which allows skipping tag look-ups to achieve a better power consumption design. Previous work shows that implementing tag-skipping technique on a Not-Load-on-write-miss architecture, though reduces the overall power consumption, yet still consumes significant power in write miss by frequently accessing main memory. We propose the use of a write tag-skipping (WTS) buffer (WTSB) to reduce the number of write misses by 50-85% therefore reducing accesses to more power consuming devices such as main memory. This results in shifting all tag-skipping operations occurring during a miss to a hit.
Index Terms:
Tag-Skipping, Victim Cache, Low-Power Cache
Citation:
Adil Akaaboune, Nazeih Botros, Jaafar Alghazo, "Tag Skipping Technique Using WTS Buffer for Optimal Low Power Cache Design," mtdt, pp.13-18, Records of the 2004 International Workshop on Memory Technology, Design and Testing (MTDT'04), 2004