Caches
3-6
Copyright © ARM Limited 2000. All rights reserved.
3.2
ICache
The ARM946E-S has a four-way set-associative ICache. You can choose the size of the
ICache from any of the supported cache sizes. The ICache uses the physical address
generated by the processor core. It uses a policy of allocate on read-miss, and is always
reloaded one cache line (eight words) at a time, through the external interface.
3.2.1
Enabling and disabling the ICache
You can enable the ICache by setting bit 12 of the CP15 control register. The cache is
only enabled if the protection unit is already enabled, or if they are enabled
simultaneously. When the ICache is enabled, a cachable read-miss places lines in the
ICache.
You can enable the ICache and protection unit simultaneously with a single write to the
CP15 control register, although you must program at least one protection region before
you enable the protection unit. You can lock critical or frequently accessed instructions
into the ICache.
3.2.2
ICache operation
When enabled, the ICache operation is additionally controlled by the Cachable
instruction (Ci) bit stored in the protection unit. This selectively enables or disables
caching for different memory regions. The Ci bit affects ICache operation as follows:
Successful cache read
Data is returned to the core only if the Ci bit is 1.
Unsuccessful cache read
If the Ci bit is 1, a linefetch of eight words is performed. The
linefetch starts with the requested address aligned to an
eight-word boundary (that is, the linefetch starts with word 0).
If the Ci bit is 0, a single-word external access is performed to
fetch the requested instruction. The cache is not updated.
You can disable the ICache by clearing bit 12 of the CP15 control register. This
prevents all ICache look-ups and line fills, and forces all instruction fetches to be
performed as single external accesses.
Summary of Contents for ARM946E-S
Page 1: ...ARM DDI 0155A ARM946E S Technical Reference Manual ...
Page 6: ...vi Copyright ARM Limited 2000 All rights reserved ARM DDI 0155A 04 Limited Confidential ...
Page 54: ...Programmer s Model 2 34 Copyright ARM Limited 2000 All rights reserved ARM DDI 0155A ...
Page 70: ...Caches 3 16 Copyright ARM Limited 2000 All rights reserved ARM DDI 0155A ...
Page 78: ...Protection Unit 4 8 Copyright ARM Limited 2000 All rights reserved ARM DDI 0155A ...
Page 112: ...Coprocessor Interface 7 14 Copyright ARM Limited 2000 All rights reserved ARM DDI 0155A ...