Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) providing a cache having a plurality of cache entries, each entry adapted to store data, wherein the cache is adapted to be accessed by hardware and software in a first operational mode; (2) determining an absence of desired data in one of the plurality of cache entries; (3) determining a status based on a current operational mode and a value of hint-lock bits associated with the plurality of cache entries; and (4) determining availability of at least one of the cache entries based on the status, wherein availability of a cache entry indicates that data stored in the cache entry can be replaced. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of testing or analyzing an integrated circuit (IC) is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) generating information about a dependency between components of the IC based on a netlist describing the IC; and (2) reducing the generated information by at least one of (a) combining portions of the information about components with a common dependency; and (b) eliminating a portion of the information about at least a first component that does not depend on another component of the IC. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided for removing entries from an address cache. The first method includes the steps of (1) writing data to a register; and (2) removing a plurality of address cache entries from the address cache based on the data written to the register. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided for controlling the flow of data between a first and second clock domain. The first method includes the steps of (1) selecting one of a plurality of ports included in a physical layer interface in the second clock domain to which to send data; and (2) transmitting data from a transmit buffer in the first clock domain to the selected port in the physical layer interface in the second clock domain. Numerous other aspects are provided.