Processor and method for separately predicting conditional branches dependent on lock acquisition
US6678820B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3848
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processor having improved branch prediction accuracy includes at least one execution unit that executes sequential instructions and a plurality of branch prediction circuits including a lock acquisition branch prediction circuit that predicts a speculative execution path for a conditional branch instruction. The processor further includes a selector that selects the speculative execution path predicted by the lock acquisition branch prediction circuit in response to an indication that the conditional branch instruction is dependent upon lock acquisition. In a preferred embodiment, the indication that the conditional branch instruction is dependent upon lock acquisition is encoded within the conditional branch instruction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.