Question

For a direct-mapped cache design with a 32-bit address:

A. 32 KB cache size
B. 64 KB cache size
C. 128 KB cache size
D. 256 KB cache size

Answer 1

A student asked about direct-mapped cache designs for various cache sizes with a A. 32-bit address system. The correct definition requires cache block size and number of blocks, in addition to cache size;

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's schoolwork question relates to the direct-mapped cache design in a computer's memory subsystem, specifically how a 32-bit address space is affected by caches of various sizes—32 KB, 64 KB, 128 KB, and 256 KB. The main considerations when determining the cache size for direct-mapped cache include capacity, block size, index bit count, tag size, and cache line size.

To correctly define the direct-mapped cache structure, we would need to know more than just the cache size. We would need the size of cache blocks, the number of blocks, and the width of the address as well. Since the question does not provide all of this information, a comprehensive answer cannot be given. However, the basic principle involves dividing the 32-bit address into different sections: block offset, index, and tag, which change depending on the size of the cache.