Microprocessor with fast execution of call and return instructions
US8423751B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3844
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A microprocessor includes an instruction set architecture, comprising a call instruction type, a return instruction type, and other instruction types. Execution units correctly execute program instructions of the other instruction types. A call/return stack has a plurality of entries arranged in a last-in-first-out manner. The call/return stack is architectural state of the microprocessor not modifiable by program instructions of the other instruction types. The call/return stack is architectural state of the microprocessor indirectly modifiable by program instructions of the call and return instruction types. The microprocessor also includes a fetch unit that fetches program instructions and sends the program instructions of the other instruction types to the execution units to be correctly executed. The fetch unit correctly executes program instructions of the call and return instruction types without sending the program instructions of the call and return instruction types to the execution units to be correctly executed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.