System and a method for selecting a cache way
A method for selecting a cache way, the method includes: selecting an initially selected cache way out of multiple cache ways of a cache module for receiving a data unit; the method being characterized by including: searching, if the initially selected cache way is locked, for an unlocked cache way, out of at least one group of cache ways that are located at predefined offsets from the first cache way.
1. A method for selecting a cache way, the method comprising:
determining an initial cache identifier;
selecting an initial cache way, out of multiple cache ways of a cache
module, for receiving a data unit based upon the initial cache identifier;
adding, in response to the initial cache way being locked, an offset to the initial cache identifier to determine an updated cache identifier, wherein the updated cache identifier is less than the initial cache way identifier in response to the offset being a negative offset;
selecting a next cache way based on the updated identifier;
determining, if the next cache way is locked; and
selecting the offset from a first group of predefined offsets that comprises positive offsets so as to define a first group of cache ways, and a second group of predefined offsets that comprises negative offsets so as to define a second group of cache ways.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein selecting the offset further includes utilizing a third group of predefined offsets that comprises at least one positive offset and at least one negative offset so as to define a third group of cache ways.
3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:
selecting the offset from a group of predefined offsets out of multiple groups of predefined offsets.
4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:
writing information to the next cache way in response to the next cache way being unlocked.
5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:
applying a searching scheme with a uniform distribution among unlocked cache ways.
6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:
utilizing multiple groups of predefined offsets that are defined so as to increase a uniformity of distribution among unlocked cache ways.
7. A system comprising:
multiple cache ways;
a cache controller that is adapted to determine an initial cache identifier, to select an initial cache way out of the multiple cache ways for receiving a data unit based upon the initial cache way identifier, to add, in response to the initial cache way being locked, an offset to the initial cache identifier, wherein the updated cache identifier is less than the initial cache way identifier in response to the offset being a negative offset, to select a next cache way out of the multiple cache ways based on the updated identifier, and to determine if the next cache way is locked; and
the cache controller to utilize a first group of predefined offsets that comprises positive offsets so as to define a first group of cache ways, and to utilize a second group of predefined offsets that comprises negative offsets so as to define a second group of cache ways.
8. The system according to claim 7 wherein the cache controller is adapted to utilize a third group of predefined offsets that comprises at least one positive offset and at least one negative offset so as to define a third group of cache ways.
9. The system according to claim 7 wherein the cache controller is adapted to select the offset from a group of predefined offsets out of multiple groups of predefined offsets.
10. The system according to claim 7 wherein the cache controller is adapted to: write information to the next cache way in response to the next cache way being unlocked.
11. The system according to claim 7 wherein the cache controller is adapted to apply a searching scheme with a uniform distribution among unlocked cache ways.
12. The system according to claim 7 wherein the cache controller is adapted to utilize multiple groups of predefined offsets that are defined so as to increase a uniformity of distribution among unlocked cache ways.
13. A non-transitory computer program product comprising a computer usable medium including a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
determine an initial cache identifier;
select an initial cache way, out of multiple cache ways of a cache module, for receiving a data unit based upon the initial cache identifier;
add, in response to the initial cache way being locked, an offset to the initial cache identifier to determine an updated cache identifier, wherein the updated cache identifier is less than the initial cache way identifier in response to the offset being a negative offset;
select a next cache way based on the updated identifier;
determine if the next cache way is locked; and
to utilize a first group of predefined offsets that comprises positive offsets so as to define a first group of cache ways; and utilize a second group of predefined offsets that comprises negative offsets so as to define a second group of cache ways.
14. The computer program product according to claim 13 , wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to select the offset from a group of predefined offsets out of multiple groups of predefined offsets.
15. The computer program product according to claim 13 , wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
write information to the next cache way in response to the next cache way being unlocked.
16. The computer program product according to claim 13 , wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to apply a searching scheme with a uniform distribution among unlocked cache ways.
17. The computer program product according to claim 13 , wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to utilize multiple groups of predefined offsets that are defined so as to increase a uniformity of distribution among unlocked cache ways.