Modified Harvard Architecture
  • is very much like a Harvard architecture machine, but it relaxes the strict separation between instruction and data while still letting the CPU concurrently access two (or more) memory buses
  • the most common modification includes separate instruction and data caches backed by a common address space
    • while the CPU executes from the cache, it acts as a pure Harvard machine
    • when accessing backing memory, it acts like a von Neumann machine (where code can be moved around like data, which is a powerful technique)
  • this modification is widespread in modern processors, such as the ARM architecture, Power ISA, and x86 processors