A CPU generates 32-bit virtual addresses. The page size is 4 KB. The processor…

2016

A CPU generates 32-bit virtual addresses. The page size is 4 KB. The processor has a translation look-aside buffer (TLB) which can hold a total of 128 page table entries and is 4-way set associative. The minimum size of the TLB tag is:

  1. A.

    11 bits

  2. B.

    13 bits

  3. C.

    15 bits

  4. D.

    20 bits

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Correct answer: C

The virtual address is 32 bits and page size is 4 KB (2^12 bytes), so the offset requires 12 bits. This leaves 32 - 12 = 20 bits for the virtual page number. The TLB has 128 entries with 4-way associativity, resulting in 128 / 4 = 32 sets. The index requires log2(32) = 5 bits. Therefore, the TLB tag size is 20 - 5 = 15 bits.

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