Abstract: A pipelined processor selects an instruction fetch mode from a number of fetch modes including an executed branch fetch mode, a predicted fetch mode, and a sequential fetch mode. Each branch instruction is associated with branch delay slots, the size of which can be greater than or equal to zero, and can vary from one branch instance to another. Branch prediction is used to fetch instructions, with the source of information for predictions deriving from a last instruction in the branch delay slots. When a prediction error occurs, the executed branch fetch mode uses an address from branch instruction evaluation to fetch a next instruction.

Abstract: A pipelined processor employs branch prediction based on branch source instructions situated in a last one of a variable number of branch delay slots associated with a branch instruction. As each memory unit of data (UoD) progresses through the processing stages from one cycle to a next, a set of N branch prediction histories is built that is associated with the UoD, N being the number of cycles the branch predictor requires to produce an output. A history of evaluated branch outcomes of branch instructions that reached the branch evaluation stage is also maintained. Recovery from misprediction includes using the history of evaluated branch outcomes and the set of branch prediction histories associated with the UoD (readily available to a last stage of the pipeline) as a source of recovery histories for inputting to a branch predictor when N next memory units of data are loaded into the pipeline.

Abstract: A pipelined processor employs branch prediction based on branch source instructions situated in a last one of a variable number of branch delay slots associated with a branch instruction. As each memory unit of data (UoD) progresses through the processing stages from one cycle to a next, a set of N branch prediction histories is built that is associated with the UoD, N being the number of cycles the branch predictor requires to produce an output. A history of evaluated branch outcomes of branch instructions that reached the branch evaluation stage is also maintained. Recovery from misprediction includes using the history of evaluated branch outcomes and the set of branch prediction histories associated with the UoD (readily available to a last stage of the pipeline) as a source of recovery histories for inputting to a branch predictor when N next memory units of data are loaded into the pipeline.

Abstract: A pipelined processor selects an instruction fetch mode from a number of fetch modes including an executed branch fetch mode, a predicted fetch mode, and a sequential fetch mode. Each branch instruction is associated with branch delay slots, the size of which can be greater than or equal to zero, and can vary from one branch instance to another. Branch prediction is used to fetch instructions, with the source of information for predictions deriving from a last instruction in the branch delay slots. When a prediction error occurs, the executed branch fetch mode uses an address from branch instruction evaluation to fetch a next instruction.

Abstract: An intermediate symbol buffer (ISB) configuration and method is provided such that the ISB memory comprises 15 portions, one for each HSDPA spreading code. Symbols associated with a spreading code are written to the memory portion associated with the same spreading code. When a covariance calculation is performed to obtain a more accurate channel estimate, only the symbols associated with spreading codes determined to be needed for the covariance calculation are written to the ISB by a buffer block and red from the ISB by a correlation core. The symbols associated with spreading codes that are not necessary for a covariance calculation may be masked from being written or read from the ISB. In some embodiments each memory portion is an individual memory block. In other embodiments a plurality of memory blocks may contain a plurality of memory portions, one memory partition designated, at least temporarily, for each spreading code.

Abstract: An intermediate symbol buffer (ISB) configuration and method is provided such that the ISB memory comprises 15 portions, one for each HSDPA spreading code. Symbols associated with a spreading code are written to the memory portion associated with the same spreading code. When a covariance calculation is performed to obtain a more accurate channel estimate, only the symbols associated with spreading codes determined to be needed for the covariance calculation are written to the ISB by a buffer block and red from the ISB by a correlation core. The symbols associated with spreading codes that are not necessary for a covariance calculation may be masked from being written or read from the ISB. In some embodiments each memory portion is an individual memory block. In other embodiments a plurality of memory blocks may contain a plurality of memory portions, one memory partition designated, at least temporarily, for each spreading code.

Abstract: The state transition of a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) controlled by a clock (310) with length N and step size W, W being at least two, is accomplished via a next-state function (320). The next-state function deploys a state transition matrix (350). The state vector (330), which represents the contents of the LFSR, is either multiplied sequentially by the state transition matrix or multiplied by the state transition matrix to the power of W (multiple state transition matrix). The method and the LFSR according to the invention are characterized in that the multiple state transition matrix is decomposed in a first matrix (360) and a second matrix (370), the first matrix comprising at most N+W+1 different expressions and the second matrix comprising at most N+W+1 different expressions. The LFSR further comprises means to multiply the state vector by the second matrix and the first matrix, and means for computing the first matrix.