Front end of microprocessor andcomputer-implemented method for performing zero bubble conditional branch prediction

Embodiments include a micro BTB, which can predict up to two branches per cycle, every cycle, with zero bubble insertion on either a taken or not taken prediction, thereby significantly improving performance and reducing power consumption of a microprocessor. A front end of a microprocessor can incl...

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Hauptverfasser: ZURASKI, GERALD DAVID, SNYDER, TIMOTHY RUSSELL, DUNDAS, JAMES
Format: Patent
Sprache:chi ; eng
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Zusammenfassung:Embodiments include a micro BTB, which can predict up to two branches per cycle, every cycle, with zero bubble insertion on either a taken or not taken prediction, thereby significantly improving performance and reducing power consumption of a microprocessor. A front end of a microprocessor can include a main front end logic section having a main BTB, a micro BTB to produce prediction information, and a decoupling queue. The micro BTB can include a graph having multiple entries, and a CAM having multiple items. Each of the entries of the graph can include a link pointer to a next branch in a taken direction, and a link pointer to a next branch in a not-taken direction. The micro BTB can insert a hot branch into the graph as a new seed.