Abstract: A method and mechanism for performing division. A processor includes a divider configured to perform arithmetic division operations. Prior to dividing a dividend by a divisor, the divider manipulates the dividend and divisor to reduce the number of bits considered and the computations required to perform the division. The divisor is normalized by eliminating sign bits. The dividend is prescaled to eliminate one or more sign bits. Prescaling of the dividend may not be precise as sign bits of the dividend may be shifted out as groups of bits, rather than individual bits. Prescaling of the dividend may be adjusted to account for the fact that the divider considers multiple bits of the dividend at a time. Subsequent to prescaling and adjustment, the dividend may be adjusted in dependence upon the normalization of the divisor. Further adjustment may be utilized to maintain a significance relationship between the divisor and dividend. Subsequent to further adjustment, the division operation may be completed.

Abstract: A mechanism for repairing way mispredictions in a cache. An instruction cache in a processor is coupled to receive a fetch address and a corresponding way prediction. A return address stack is configured to store a return address corresponding to a fetched branch instruction, a return address way prediction, and information identifying the branch instruction. In response to detecting the return address way prediction is incorrect, the information identifying the branch instruction which is popped from the return address stack is utilized to identify the corresponding branch instruction and repair the return address way prediction. If way misprediction is detected by the instruction cache, the instruction cache is configured to search additional ways for a hit. In the event of a hit in the additional ways, the instruction cache is configured to convey an updated way prediction. In the event of a miss, the instruction cache is configured to convey a miss indication.

Abstract: An address generation unit (AGU) including a single adder and a recycling path. The recycling AGU may receive a plurality of operands at a first and at a second selection device to perform a first address generation operation. The adder may sum a portion of the operands to generate an output sum. Then, the output sum may be recycled back to the first selection device via the recycle path. The sum that is output from the adder may be recycled back to the first selection device one or more times via the recycle path depending on whether the first address generation operation requires one or more additional operands to be added to generate a corresponding address. Since the recycling AGU includes only a single adder, it may reduce the hardware necessary to perform the multiple computations that are typically required in an address generation operation without adversely affecting performance.