Last iteration loop branch prediction upon counter threshold and resolution upon counter one

A processor for processing loop branch instructions in a program loop, the processor comprising:

• an instruction unit for fetching and decoding instructions, said instructions including at least one loop branch instruction;
• a branch prediction unit for predicting target instructions to be fetched and decoded by said instruction unit in response to said loop branch instruction;
• an execution unit for executing instructions from said instruction unit, said execution unit maintaining a counter indicating an iteration of a loop, said execution unit including detection logic for detecting when said counter equals a threshold, said execution unit notifying said branch prediction unit when said counter equals said threshold to initiate branch prediction for a last iteration of said loop;
• said detection logic detects when said counter equals one, said detection logic resolving said loop branch instruction and generating a loop branch resolution signal, said loop branch resolution signal provided to said instruction unit.