Microsoft technology licensing, llc (20240201998). PERFORMING STORAGE-FREE INSTRUCTION CACHE HIT PREDICTION IN A PROCESSOR simplified abstract

PERFORMING STORAGE-FREE INSTRUCTION CACHE HIT PREDICTION IN A PROCESSOR

Organization Name

microsoft technology licensing, llc

Inventor(s)

Ahmed Abulila of Raleigh NC (US)

Rami Mohammad Al Sheikh of Morrisville NC (US)

Daren Eugene Streett of Cary NC (US)

Michael Scott Mcilvaine of Raleigh NC (US)

PERFORMING STORAGE-FREE INSTRUCTION CACHE HIT PREDICTION IN A PROCESSOR - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240201998 titled 'PERFORMING STORAGE-FREE INSTRUCTION CACHE HIT PREDICTION IN A PROCESSOR

Simplified Explanation

This patent application describes a method for performing storage-free instruction cache hit prediction in a processor.

• The processor includes a circuit that detects misses in a branch target buffer and generates prefetch requests for instructions.
• These prefetch requests are then transmitted to a prefetcher circuit for processing.

Key Features and Innovation

• Instruction cache hit prediction circuit detects misses in branch target buffer.
• Generates prefetch requests for instructions to improve cache hit rates.
• Transmits prefetch requests to a prefetcher circuit for processing.

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in various processors and computing systems to enhance instruction cache performance.

Problems Solved

• Improves instruction cache hit rates.
• Reduces delays in fetching instructions.
• Enhances overall processor efficiency.

Benefits

• Faster instruction retrieval.
• Improved processor performance.
• Optimal cache utilization.

Commercial Applications

Title: "Enhanced Processor Performance through Storage-Free Instruction Cache Hit Prediction" This technology can be utilized in high-performance computing systems, servers, and other devices requiring efficient instruction processing.

Prior Art

Readers can explore prior research on instruction cache hit prediction, branch target buffers, and prefetching techniques in processor design.

Frequently Updated Research

Researchers are continually exploring new methods to optimize instruction cache performance and reduce latency in processor operations.

Questions about Instruction Cache Hit Prediction

How does storage-free instruction cache hit prediction improve processor performance?

Storage-free instruction cache hit prediction eliminates the need for additional storage, reducing latency in fetching instructions and enhancing cache hit rates.

What are the potential challenges in implementing instruction cache hit prediction in processors?

Implementing instruction cache hit prediction may require complex circuitry and algorithms to accurately predict cache hits and misses.

Original Abstract Submitted

performing storage-free instruction cache hit prediction is disclosed herein. in some aspects, a processor comprises an instruction cache hit prediction circuit that is configured to detect that a first access by a branch predictor circuit to a branch target buffer (btb) for a first instruction in an instruction stream results in a miss on the btb. in response to detecting the miss, the instruction cache hit prediction circuit is further configured to generate a first instruction cache prefetch request for the first instruction. the instruction cache hit prediction circuit is also configured to transmit the first instruction cache prefetch request to a prefetcher circuit.