Abstract:

Based on prefetch and cache principles, we realize a Flash acceleration controller which is used to improve the efficiency of Flash memory in different embedded applications. The controller contains two acceleration schemes: prefetch cache and highspeed cache. The prefetchcache method uses the data width extension and prefetch technology to accelerate the access to sequence instructions, and uses the branchbuffer technology to reduce the missing penalty caused by the branch instruction. The highspeed cache method uses the setassociative and waypredict technology to improve instruction reuse and reduce the Flash access frequency and power consumption. The two acceleration methods can not only be selected statically by configuring related registers, but also be switched dynamically by the software flow. Several benchmark results prove the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed Flash acceleration controller in terms of performance and power optimization.

Key words: Flash, data width extension, prefetch, branchbuffer, cache, configurable, adaptive