Cache memory system and method for accessing a cache memory having a redundant array without displacing a cache line in a main array

摘要

A system and method for accessing a cache memory having a redundant array without displacing a cache line in a main array are described.;Redundant rows of a cache memory array are used as extra cache lines for the cache memory array. Operations can be performed on these extra cache lines without effecting previous cache line values which have been brought into the cache memory array. These extra cache lines thus provide for temporary cache storage without causing a cache line reloaded into the cache memory array. This selective access of memory without disturbing the current contents of the cache memory array increases system throughput by minimizing the number of times that a cache memory might have to be reloaded.