Method and apparatus for a trace cache trace-end predictor
US7124277B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3808
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a trace end predictor for a trace cache is disclosed. In one embodiment, the trace end predictor may have one or more buffers to contain a head address for a subsequent trace. The head address may include the way number and set number of the next head, along with partial stew data to support additional execution predictors. The buffers may also include tag data of the current trace's tail address, and may additionally include control bits for determining whether to replace the buffer's contents with information from another trace's tail. Reading the next head address from the trace end predictor, as opposed to reading it from the trace cache array, may reduce certain execution time delays.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.