Performance and energy-efficiency analysis of hybrid cache memory based on SRAM-MRAM

Abstract

Emerging memory devices, such as magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and phase-change random access memory (PRAM), are non-volatile and energy-efficient, making them suitable for future computing and mobile systems. However, they also have drawbacks, including limited endurance and long write latency. To overcome these issues, a hybrid cache memory system consisting of both volatile and non-volatile memory is actively investigated. This paper analyzes the performances and energy efficiencies of various cache memory systems constructed with static random access memory (SRAM) and/or MRAM. The simulation results show that the performance and energy efficiency of the hybrid cache memory system can vary with the total capacity of the cache system and the optimal cache memory system should be selected based on the cache capacity allocated in the cache system.