SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEARCH AREA CONFINED BRANCH PREDICTION

摘要

A system and method for performing search area confined branch prediction in a processor are provided. The system includes a branch target buffer (BTB) to hold branch information for branch prediction, where the branch information includes a branch address. The system also includes search logic for searching the BTB to locate a branch address. The system additionally includes throttle logic to stop searching the BTB in response to reaching a predefined search limit.