Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing a cache hierarchy. The apparatus has processing circuitry for executing instructions, and a cache hierarchy for storing content for access by the processing circuitry when executing those instructions. The cache hierarchy has a plurality of levels of cache including a highest level of cache that is accessed prior to the other levels of cache in response to a request from the processing circuitry. Eviction control circuitry is provided in association with each level of cache, and the eviction control circuitry associated with a chosen level of cache in arranged to implement a most recently read eviction policy that causes content most recently read from the chosen level of cache to be selected for eviction from that chosen level of cache. It has been found that such an approach can significantly increase the effective cache capacity within the cache hierarchy, without the complexities often associated with other schemes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing a cache hierarchy. The apparatus has processing circuitry for executing instructions, and a cache hierarchy for storing content for access by the processing circuitry when executing those instructions. The cache hierarchy has a plurality of levels of cache including a highest level of cache that is accessed prior to the other levels of cache in response to a request from the processing circuitry. Eviction control circuitry is provided in association with each level of cache, and the eviction control circuitry associated with a chosen level of cache in arranged to implement a most recently read eviction policy that causes content most recently read from the chosen level of cache to be selected for eviction from that chosen level of cache. It has been found that such an approach can significantly increase the effective cache capacity within the cache hierarchy, without the complexities often associated with other schemes.