Method and apparatus to control the use of hierarchical branch predictors based on the effectiveness of their results
US11113063B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2212/1021
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include a main-branch target buffer (BTB). The apparatus may include a micro-BTB separate from and smaller than the main-BTB, and configured to produce prediction information associated with a branching instruction. The apparatus may include a micro-BTB confidence counter configured to measure a correctness of the prediction information produced by the micro-BTB. The apparatus may further include a micro-BTB misprediction rate counter configured to measure a rate of mispredictions produced by the micro-BTB. The apparatus may also include a micro-BTB enablement circuit configured to enable a usage of the micro-BTB's prediction information, based, at least in part, upon the values of the micro-BTB confidence counter and the micro-BTB misprediction rate counter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.