Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing control – Branching
Patent
1997-09-22
1999-10-12
Treat, William M.
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing control
Branching
712238, 712239, G06F 938
Patent
active
059648708
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for predicting branch behavior during execution of branch instructions in a computer program. The apparatus comprises a branch table buffer (BTB) to store a plurality of branch addresses that are each generated during a function call and a plurality of branch histories associated with the branch addresses, the branch histories indicating whether or not an associated branch was previously taken. The apparatus further comprises circuitry coupled to the BTB to generate an index into the BTB using at least one level of context of the function call.
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Intel Corporation
Treat William M.
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