Predictable Sharing of Last-level Cache Partitions for Multi-core Safety-critical Systems

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method for sharing last-level cache partitions among multiple cores in multicore safety-critical systems, aiming to improve cache utilization while maintaining low worst-case latency bounds.

Contribution

It introduces a predictable sharing approach for LLC partitions that balances cache efficiency and real-time performance in multicore safety-critical environments.

Findings

Enhanced cache utilization in multicore systems

Maintained low worst-case latency bounds

Supports shared LLC partitions effectively

Abstract

Last-level cache (LLC) partitioning is a technique to provide temporal isolation and low worst-case latency (WCL) bounds when cores access the shared LLC in multicore safety-critical systems. A typical approach to cache partitioning involves allocating a separate partition to a distinct core. A central criticism of this approach is its poor utilization of cache storage. Today's trend of integrating a larger number of cores exacerbates this issue such that we are forced to consider shared LLC partitions for effective deployments. This work presents an approach to share LLC partitions among multiple cores while being able to provide low WCL bounds.