Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing control – Branching
Reexamination Certificate
2007-09-04
2007-09-04
Lai, Vincent (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing control
Branching
C712S233000, C712S237000, C712S239000, C712S240000
Reexamination Certificate
active
10394820
ABSTRACT:
Methods and apparatus are provided for branch prediction in a digital processor. A method includes providing a branch target buffer having a tag array and a data array, wherein each entry in the tag array provides an index to a corresponding entry in the data array, storing in a selected entry in the tag array information representative of a branch target of a current branch instruction, storing in a corresponding entry in the data array information representative of a branch target of a next branch instruction, and providing the information representative of the branch target of the next branch instruction in response to a match to an entry in the tag array. The information representative of the branch target of the next branch instruction may include a taken branch target address of the next branch instruction and an offset value. The offset value may represent an address of a next sequential instruction following the next branch instruction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5142634 (1992-08-01), Fite et al.
patent: 5608886 (1997-03-01), Blomgren et al.
patent: 5732253 (1998-03-01), McMahan
patent: 5864697 (1999-01-01), Shiell
patent: 5948100 (1999-09-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 5964870 (1999-10-01), Malizewski
patent: 6119222 (2000-09-01), Shiell et al.
patent: 6389531 (2002-05-01), Irle et al.
Jackson, R.T. and F.O. Karim, Branch Anticipation and Prediction Algorithm, Dec. 1992, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 35, No. 7, p. 73-74.
Duraiswamy Deepa
Kannan Srikanth
Singh Ravi Pratap
Tran Thang M.
Analog Devices Inc.
Lai Vincent
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for branch prediction based on branch... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for branch prediction based on branch..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for branch prediction based on branch... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3777842