PREDICTING LITERAL LOAD VALUES USING A LITERAL LOAD PREDICTION TABLE, AND RELATED CIRCUITS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA

摘要

Predicting literal load values using a literal load prediction table, and related circuits, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In one aspect, an instruction processing circuit provides a literal load prediction table containing one or more entries, each comprising an address and a literal load value. Upon detecting a literal load instruction in an instruction stream, the instruction processing circuit determines whether the literal load prediction table contains an entry having an address of the literal load instruction. If so, the instruction processing circuit provides the predicted literal load value stored in the entry to at least one dependent instruction. The instruction processing circuit subsequently determines whether the predicted literal load value matches the actual literal load value loaded by the literal load instruction. If a mismatch exists, the instruction processing circuit initiates a misprediction recovery. The at least one dependent instruction is re-executed using the actual literal load value.

主权项

1. An instruction processing circuit configured to:
detect, in an instruction stream, a first occurrence of a literal load instruction; determine whether an address of the literal load instruction is present in an entry of a literal load prediction table; and responsive to determining that the address of the literal load instruction is present in the entry:
provide a predicted literal load value stored in the entry for execution of at least one dependent instruction on the literal load instruction;determine, upon execution of the literal load instruction, whether the predicted literal load value matches an actual literal load value loaded by the literal load instruction; andresponsive to determining that the predicted literal load value does not match the actual literal load value:
initiate a misprediction recovery; andre-execute the at least one dependent instruction using the actual literal load value.