Enhancing Branch Prediction via On-Line Statistical Analysis

Abstract

To attain peak efficiency, high performance processors must anticipate changes in the flow of control before they actually occur. Branch prediction is the method of determining the most likely path to be taken at branch decision points in the program. Many branch prediction mechanisms have been proposed. The most effective of these use a single tabular data structure in hardware to hold historical information regarding the behaviors of branches. The table is a limited resource, and is managed in a manner that can result in multiple branches attempting to share locations in the table in a conflicting manner