Incorporating local branch history when predicting multiple conditional branch outcomes

摘要

A method for improving prediction of an outcome for a branch instruction in a set of instructions includes storing local branch history data for the branch instruction, using the local branch history data to predict the outcome of the branch instruction, and speculatively updating the local branch history data with the predicted outcome of the branch instruction. An apparatus for improving prediction of an outcome for a branch instruction in a set of instructions includes a memory for storing local branch history data for the branch instruction and a processor for using the local branch history data to predict the outcome of the branch instruction and speculatively updating the local branch history data with the predicted outcome of the branch instruction.