Object representation model for a cache memory in a real-time Java environment

Conventional cache memories act to bridge the gap in speeds between the processor and main memory. However, typical cache memories do not take into account of the specific characteristics of objects-oriented programs. As result it may incur in a performance penalty. In this paper, we discuss how an objects-based cache device can support Java objects. This feature is especially useful in the field of real-time programming, where the determinism for memory cache accesses is a limiting factor. In order to do that, we propose an object layout which splits objects into the same sized blocks; in this way, each cache memory line supports a block. This memory model avoids external fragmentation, while minimizing internal fragmentation.