Instruction Caching

Concept

Instruction caching is a performance technique that reuses instruction-related information—most explicitly decoded instruction fields in instruction-set simulation, and instruction storage in processor cache hierarchies—to avoid repeated work or duplicated storage.

First seen 5/29/2026

Last seen 5/29/2026

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Overview

Instruction caching refers to caching instruction-related information so it can be reused when the same instruction stream or instruction word is encountered again. In the instruction-set simulator (ISS) context documented here, the cached object is the result of decoding an instruction: a decode function or macro decomposes the instruction word into bit fields, stores those fields in a record-like data structure, and avoids decoding the same instruction repeatedly during simulation. [C1]

Use in instruction-set simulation

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Just-in-Time Compiled Simulation ← uses 100% 1e

JIT compiled simulation caches previously decoded instructions for performance.

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CITATIONS

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[1] Instruction-set simulation can cache the results of decoding an instruction word into bit fields to avoid repeated instruction decoding. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite

[2] In JIT-CS, previously decoded instruction information is cached and reused, enabling performance comparable to compiled simulation while retaining interpretive flexibility. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite

[3] A generated ISS can keep decoded instruction fields in an instruction structure, and software locality such as loops makes this an efficient way to decrease simulation run time. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite

[4] The reported ISS performance table lists P1 at 0.22 MIPS interpretive, 14.0 MIPS JIT-CS, and 7.0 MIPS generated; and P2 at 2.5 MIPS JIT-CS and 1.2 MIPS generated. Generating an Efficient Instruction Set Simulator from a Complete Property Suite

[5] The Sphynx study proposed sharing an instruction cache among independent processor cores to enable inter-thread sharing and reduce replicated on-chip instruction storage. Sphynx: A Shared Instruction Cache Exporatory Study

[6] A hierarchical instruction-cache design for ultra-low-power processor clusters used private L1 caches with a shared L1.5 cache and reported up to 20% higher operating frequency and up to 17% higher maximum performance. Scalable Hierarchical Instruction Cache for Ultra-Low-Power Processors Clusters