Distance-based branch prediction and detection

Abstract

Examples of techniques for distance-based branch prediction are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes: determining, by a processing system, a potential return instruction address (IA) by determining whether a relationship is satisfied between a first target IA and a first branch IA; storing a second branch IA as a return when a target IA of a second branch matches a potential return IA for the second branch; and applying the potential return IA for the second branch as a predicted target IA of a predicted branch IA stored as a return

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for distance-based branch prediction, the method comprising:
 determining, by a processing system, a potential return instruction address (IA) by determining whether a relationship is satisfied between a first target IA and a first branch IA;   storing a second branch IA as a return when a target IA of a second branch matches a potential return IA for the second branch; and   applying the potential return IA for the second branch as a predicted target IA of a predicted branch IA stored as a return.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the relationship is a distance between the first target IA and the first branch IA. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the distance is a number of bytes. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein a potential return is indicated when the distance between the first target IA and the first branch IA is greater than a distance threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein a potential return is not indicated when the distance between the first target IA and the first branch IA is not greater than a distance threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the distance is determined using an absolute value function. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the storing further comprises:
 storing the second branch IA into a branch target buffer (BTB); and   marking the branch in the BTB as a return branch.