497cc2d373
The Minor and o3 cpu models share the branch prediction code. Minor relies on the BPredUnit::squash() function to update the branch predictor tables on a branch mispre- diction. This is fine because Minor executes in-order, so the update is on the correct path. However, this causes the branch predictor to be updated on out-of-order branch mispredictions when using the o3 model, which should not be the case. This patch guards against speculative update of the branch prediction tables. On a branch misprediction, BPredUnit::squash() calls BpredUnit::update(..., squashed = true). The underlying branch predictor tests against the value of squashed. If it is true, it restores any speculatively updated internal state it might have (e.g., global/local branch history), then returns. If false, it updates its prediction tables. Previously, exist- ing predictors did not test against the "squashed" parameter. To accomodate for this change, the Minor model must now call BPredUnit::squash() then BPredUnit::update(..., squashed = false) on branch mispredictions. Before, calling BpredUnit::squash() performed the prediction tables update. The effect is a slight MPKI improvement when using the o3 model. A further patch should perform the same modifications for the indirect target predictor and BTB (less critical). Signed-off-by: Jason Lowe-Power <jason@lowepower.com> |
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