UTILIZING NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM UNEXPECTED MISS ADDRESSES IN A HARDWARE PREFETCHER

摘要

Systems and methods for populating a cache using a hardware prefetcher are disclosed. A method for prefetching cache entries includes determining an initial stride value based on at least a first and second demand miss address in the cache, verifying the initial stride value based on a third demand miss address in the cache, prefetching a predetermined number of cache entries based on the verified initial stride value, determining an expected next miss address in the cache based on the verified initial stride value and addresses of the prefetched cache entries; and confirming the verified initial stride value based on comparing the expected next miss address to a next demand miss address in the cache. If the verified initial stride value is confirmed, additional cache entries are prefetched. If the verified initial stride value is not confirmed, further prefetching is stalled and an alternate stride value is determined.