Freescale Semiconductor,inc.

David M Thompson

Michael D Snyder

Sergio Schuler

Leick D Robinson

A processor has a fetch unit and a branch execution unit. The fetch unit has a branch predictor. The branch predictor has a branch target buffer and a branch direction predictor. A wake value is a number of instruction fetches that is predicted to be performed after a fetch of a branch. Thus, for a first branch, for example, a first wake number is predicted. A low power mode of the branch predictor is enabled for a duration of the first wake value in response to hit in the branch target buffer in which the hit is in response to the first branch.

Dynamic branch prediction using a wake value to enable low power mode for a predicted number of instruction fetches between a branch and a subsequent branch

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Arlington, TX, United States of America

David M Thompson