Evaluation of variable level cache

This paper proposes a variable level cache (VLC) to reduce leakage power of cache memory. Generally, required cache size depends on a program feature and data set. Therefore, VLC estimates the required cache size dynamically, and if the required size is small, it divides cache memory in half. The upper half memory functions as normal cache memory and the lower half memory shifts into stand-by mode to reduce leakage current and performs as lower level cache. According to our simulation results, the VLC is approximately 36% improvement of the energy-delay product to the conventional approach.