METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EMULATING THE BRANCH PREDICTION BEHAVIOR OF AN EXPLICIT SUBROUTINE CALL

摘要

An apparatus for emulating the branch prediction behavior of an explicit subroutine call is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first input which is configured to receive an instruction address and a second input. The second input is configured to receive predecode information which describes the ins truction address as being related to an implicit subroutine call to a subrou tine. In response to the predecode information, the apparatus also includes an adder configured to add a constant to the instruction address defining a return address, causing the return address to be stored to an explicit subro utine resource, thus, facilitating subsequent branch prediction of a return call instruction.