Branch target buffer and method of use
US7609582B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
10References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3844
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A branch target buffer (BTB) storing a data entry related to a branch instruction is disclosed. The BTB conditionally enables access to the data entry in response to a word line gating circuit associated with a word line in the BTB. The word line gating circuit stores a word line gating value derived from branch history data related to the instruction. Additionally, a branch prediction unit and a processor incorporating the BTB are disclosed, along with methods for operating the BTB.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.