Processor having a micro tag array that reduces data cache access power and applications thereof

摘要

Processors and systems having a micro tag array that reduces data cache access power. The processors and systems include a cache that has a plurality of datarams, a processor pipeline register (Fig. 4 Ref. 402), and a micro tag array (Ref. 410). The micro tag array is coupled to the cache and the processor pipeline register. The micro tag array stores base address data bits or base register data bits, offset data bits, a carry bit, and way selection data bits. When a LOAD or a STORE instruction is fetched, at least a portion of the base address and at least a portion of the offset of the instruction are compared to data stored in the micro tag array. If a micro tag array hit occurs, the micro tag array generates a cache dataram enable signal. This signal enables only a single dataram of the cache.