US 2016/0259644 A1 · OPTIMIZED MODE TRANSITIONS THROUGH PREDICTING TARGET STATE

Abstract

In one embodiment, software executing on a data processing system that is capable of performing dynamic operational mode transitions can realize performance improvements by predicting transitions between modes and/or predicting aspects of a new operational mode. Such prediction can allow the processor to begin an early transition into the target mode. The mode transition prediction principles can be applied for various processor mode transitions including 64-bit to 32-bit mode transitions, interrupts, exceptions, traps, virtualization mode transfers, system management mode transfers, and/or secure execution mode transfers.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data, which if performed by at least one machine, causes the at least one machine to fabricate at least one integrated circuit to perform operations including:

decoding a first instruction into a first decoded instruction, the first instruction to cause a control flow transfer within the at least one integrated circuit from a first set of instructions to a target in a second set of instructions;
and
predicting an operational mode of the at least one integrated circuit, the operational mode associated with the second set of instructions, wherein the operational mode is predicted before completing execution of the first decoded instruction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optimized mode transitions through predicting target state

Life of this patent

Optimized mode transitions through predicting target state

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23