Microprocessor that builds inconsistent loop that iteration count unrolled loop multi-fetch block macro-op cache entries

A method, comprising:

• in a microprocessor comprising:
• a prediction unit (PRU) that predicts a sequence of fetch blocks (FBlks) in a program instruction stream, wherein a FBlk comprises a sequential run of architectural instructions;
• and
• a macro-op (MOP) cache (MOC) that comprises MOC entries (MEs), wherein a ME holds MOPs into which architectural instructions of one or more FBlks are decoded;
• detecting a loop body ME within the program instruction stream;
• accumulating loop iteration count information about a series of instances of a loop on the loop body ME in the program instruction stream;
• updating a consistency counter of the loop body ME while said accumulating the loop iteration count information;
• in response to detecting that the consistency counter has reached a threshold, using F copies of the MOPs of the loop body ME to build in the MOC an unrolled loop multi-FBlk ME (MF-ME) (ULP-MF-ME), wherein F is a loop unroll factor that is at least two.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that are capable of causing or configuring a microprocessor comprising:

• a prediction unit (PRU) that predicts a sequence of fetch blocks (FBlks) in a program instruction stream, wherein a FBlk comprises a sequential run of architectural instructions;
• a macro-op (MOP) cache (MOC) that comprises MOC entries (MEs), wherein a ME holds MOPs into which architectural instructions of one or more FBlks are decoded;
• and
• a fusion engine;
• wherein the PRU is configured to:
• detect a loop body ME within the program instruction stream;
• accumulate loop iteration count information about a series of instances of a loop on the loop body ME in the program instruction stream;
• update a consistency counter of the loop body ME while accumulating the loop iteration count information;
• in response to detecting that the consistency counter has reached a threshold, instruct the fusion engine to use F copies of the MOPs of the loop body ME to build in the MOC an unrolled loop multi-FBlk ME (MF-ME) (ULP-MF-ME), wherein F is a loop unroll factor that is at least two.