Selectively performing ahead branch prediction based on types of branch instructions
US11416256B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3861
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A set of entries in a branch prediction structure for a set of second blocks are accessed based on a first address of a first block. The set of second blocks correspond to outcomes of one or more first branch instructions in the first block. Speculative prediction of outcomes of second branch instructions in the second blocks is initiated based on the entries in the branch prediction structure. State associated with the speculative prediction is selectively flushed based on types of the branch instructions. In some cases, the branch predictor can be accessed using an address of a previous block or a current block. State associated with the speculative prediction is selectively flushed from the ahead branch prediction, and prediction of outcomes of branch instructions in one of the second blocks is selectively initiated using non-ahead accessing, based on the types of the one or more branch instructions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.