AHB Cache Controller Core

Overview

The CACHE-CTRL IP core is a flexible cache memory controller providing a 32-bit slave AHB processor interface and a 32-bit master AHB interface to the memory subsystem.

The cache controller core supports a four-way associative cache memory, and implements a Least Recently Used (LRU) replacement policy. The number of cache lines and the cache line width are configurable at synthesis time. The core only caches read accesses and invalidates the cached data if a write access to a cached memory location occurs.

Mapping the cache controller to any technology is straightforward, as the core does not require any special type of SRAM modules, only using standard, single-ported SRAMs. Furthermore, the design is scan-ready as it uses only rising-edge triggered flip-flops and contains no internal tri-states. Integration of the core is trouble-free, as the core uses standard 32-bit AHB interfaces, and supports clock gating.

The CACHE-CTRL core has been robustly verified and is silicon-proven.

Key Features

Adds single or multilevel cache memory to originally cache-less deeply embedded processors, DSPs, or ASIPs. Improves access time and reduces bandwidth to DRAM, Flash or EEPROM memories; enables XIP without typical power or performance penalties.
Cache Parameters
Four-way set associative cache
Least Recently Used (LRU) replacement policy
Synthesis-time configurable:
number of cache lines
number of words per line
32-bit words
Invalidates cache contents if a write access occurs
Easy Integration & Implementation
Works with any processor with a 32-bit AHB bus
32-bit AHB slave interface towards the processor
32-bit AHB master interface towards the memory system
Uses four single-ported SRAMs: no special type of RAM is required
Scan-ready design
Supports clock gating

Block Diagram

Applications

The CACHE-CTRL can be used to add single or multilevel cache memory to cache-less deeply embedded processors, DSPs, or ASIPs. This can decrease the read access time and bandwidth to a relatively slow or energy consuming memory resource like flash, EEPROM, or DRAM devices. For example it allows economical processors like the BA20, BA21, or BA22-DE to run code directly from an off-chip NOR-flash (XIP) while minimizing the typical performance and/or power penalties of off-chip access.

Deliverables

Verilog RTL source code or targeted FPGA netlist
Verification environment using System Verilog
Assertions and Bus Functional Models
Sample synthesis and simulation scripts
User Documentation

Technical Specifications

Maturity

Production Proven

Availability

Now

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