Execution of conditional branch instruction specifying branch point operand to be stored in jump stack with branch destination for jumping to upon matching program counter value
US8275978B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3806
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In one embodiment the present invention includes a microprocessor that has a pipeline circuit, a branch circuit, and a control circuit. The pipeline circuit pipelines instructions for the microprocessor. The branch circuit is coupled to the pipeline circuit and operates to store branch information. The control circuit is coupled to the pipeline circuit and the branch circuit. The control circuit stores a first branch information from the pipeline circuit to the branch circuit when a first condition is met. The control circuit retrieves a second branch information from the branch stack circuit to the pipeline circuit when a second condition is met. In this manner, the need for dedicated pipeline flush circuitry is avoided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.