Locality of Reference in Cache Memory

Locality of Reference in Cache Memory

Principle of locality of reference in cache memory :

What is Cache Memory in Computer :

Cache memory in a computer is a special type of high-speed semiconductor memory. It is designed to produce a greater efficiency of a computer system. The two main characteristics of cache memory is it is very fast in nature and very small in size. Normally, the cache memory is placed between primary memory and processor. In this article, we will discuss how locality of reference is implemented to utilize the benefit of cache memory.

How cache memory enhances the processing of computer :

Let us take an example to illustrate the role of cache memory in performance enhancement. As we know that CPU execute only one instruction at a time, let consider a situation where 5 instructions are to be executed by the CPU one by one.

Suppose the time needed to bring a instruction to processor from the primary memory is 100ns. (nano-second). Now, to execute 5 instructions, the CPU need 5*100ns=500ns time, when there is no cache memory is used.

Now cache memory is placed in between primary memory and processor, let’s see what happens:

locality of reference
Locality of Reference with Cache Memory

When the cache memory is present, suppose it requires 90ns to bring an instruction from primary memory to cache memory and another 20ns is needed to bring that instruction from the cache memory to CPU. So, we found that total time required to bring a single instruction from primary memory to cache memory is 90ns+20ns = 110ns. So, to execute 5 instructions it requires 5*110ns=550ns.

Although the cache memory is used with an aim to enhance the speed, from the above calculations it is cleared that execution time is increased from 500ns to 550ns, which is not great. This is the situation where locality of reference takes place.

Locality of Reference in Cache Memory :

The locality of reference is implemented to utilize the full benefit of cache memory in computer organization. It indicates that all the instructions referred by the processor are localized in nature. If the processor searches an instruction ‘i’, the probability is very high that after execution of instruction ‘i‘, it will search for ‘i+1‘. That is a processor request instructions from memory which are residing in memory in nearby locations.

How locality of reference used in cache memory :

The locality of reference holds good in computer architecture which is utilized to enhance the speed of the cache memory system. If we consider the execution of 5 instructions, with the implemented cache memory and locality of reference, We can bring those 5 instructions simultaneously from primary memory to cache memory only in 90ns.

As a CPU can hold only a single instruction at a time, the time required to bring these 5 instructions from cache to CPU, one after another is 5*20 = 100ns. So, the total time required is 90+100 = 190ns.

This way the cache memory with the locality of reference can enhance the speed of computer system. It is due to the locality of reference, that almost all the instructions fetched from primary memory to cache memory will get executed by the CPU.


Also Read: Different Classification of Data-Structure

Debarshi Das


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