What does n-word block size mean? Following example from Computer Organization by Petterson, Hennessey.

Question

"Assuming a cache of 4K blocks, a 4-word block size, and a 32‐bit address, find the total number of sets and the total number of tag bits for caches that are direct mapped, two-way and four-way set associative, and fully associative."

In the solution of this example  it is given that there are 16(i.e. 2^4) bytes per block. How is this derived?

My understanding is that 4-word block size means that there are 4 words in each block. SInce it's not mentioned how many bytes are there in each word I assumed it to be one byte per word but that gives 4 bytes per block. What exactly does 4-word block size mean?

Comments

As it is given that 32 bit address is used. It means that here 1 word = 32 bits = 4 bytes

Answer 1

"Assuming a cache of 4K blocks, a 4-word block size, and a 32‐bit address

In 2-way set associative mapping

Lines=2^2x2^10=2^12

Number of sets=2^12/2=2^11

Tag bits=17bits

set number =11 bits

4bits  Block offset

Tag Bits=32-(15)=17

I word=4 Byte as i assume.Similarly for 4way