Bcache Structure

4.3 Bcache Structure

The 21264/EV67 Cbox provides control signals and an interface for a second-level cache (Bcache).

The 21264/EV67 supports a Bcache from 1MB to 16MB, with 64-byte blocks. A 128- bit bidirectional data bus is used for transfers between the 21264/EV67 and the Bcache. The Bcache is fully synchronous and the synchronous static RAMs (SSRAMs) must contain either one, two, or three internal registers. All Bcache control and address pins are clocked synchronously on Bcache cycle boundaries. The Bcache clock rate varies as a multiple of the CPU clock cycle in half-cycle increments from 1.5 to 4.0, and in full- cycle increments of 5, 6, 7, and 8 times the CPU clock cycle. The 1.5 multiple is only available in dual-data mode.

4.3.1 Bcache Interface Signals

Figure 4–2shows the 21264/EV67 system interface signals.

Figure 4–2 21264/EV67 Bcache Interface Signals

BcData_H[127:0]

21264 BcCheck_H[15:0]

BcDataInClk_H[7:0]

BcDataOutClk_[3:0]x

BcDataOE_L

BcDataWr_L

BcAdd_H[23:4]

BcTag_H[42:20]

BcTagInClk_H

BcTagOutClk_x

BcVref

BcTagDirty_H

BcTagParity_H

BcTagShared_H

BcTagValid_H

BcTagOE_L

BcTagWr_L

BcLoad_L

FM-05650-EV67

4.3.2 System Duplicate Tag Stores

The 21264/EV67 provides Bcache state support for systems with and without duplicate tag stores, and will take different actions on this basis. The system sets the Cbox CSR DUP_TAG_ENA[0], indicating that it has a duplicate tag store for the Bcache. Systems using the DUP_TAG_ENA[0] bit must also use the Cbox CSR BC_CLEAN_VICTIM[0] bit to avoid deadlock situations.

Systems using a Bcache duplicate tag store can accelerate system performance by:

Alpha 21264/EV67 Hardware Reference Manual

Cache and External Interfaces 4–7

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Compaq 21264, EV67 specifications Bcache Structure, Bcache Interface Signals, System Duplicate Tag Stores