Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using micro-op caches in processors are disclosed. A tag match for an instruction pointer retrieves a set of micro-op cache line access tuples having matching tags. The set is stored in a match queue. Line access tuples from the match queue are used to access cache lines in a micro-op cache data array to supply a micro-op queue. On a micro-op cache miss, a macroinstruction translation engine (MITE) decodes macroinstructions to supply the micro-op queue. Instruction pointers are stored in a miss queue for fetching macroinstructions from the MITE. The MITE may be disabled to conserve power when the miss queue is empty-likewise for the micro-op cache data array when the match queue is empty. Synchronization flags in the last micro-op from the micro-op cache on a subsequent micro-op cache miss indicate where micro-ops from the MITE merge with micro-ops from the micro-op cache.

Abstract: An optimization unit to search for two or more candidate instructions in an instruction trace and to merge the two or more candidate instructions into a single instruction with multiple data (SIMD) according to a depth of a trace dependency and a common operation code of the two or more candidate instructions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system which may include splitting a dependency chain into a set of reduced-width dependency chains; mapping one or more dependency chains onto one or more clustered dependency chain processors, wherein an issue-width of one or more of the clusters is adapted to accommodate a size of the dependency chains; and/or processing in parallel a plurality of dependency chains of a trace. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system which may include splitting a dependency chain into a set of reduced-width dependency chains; mapping one or more dependency chains onto one or more clustered dependency chain processors, wherein an issue-width of one or more of the clusters is adapted to accommodate a size of the dependency chains; and/or processing in parallel a plurality of dependency chains of a trace. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Briefly, an optimization unit to search for two or more candidate instructions in an instruction trace and to merge the two or more candidate instructions into a single instruction with multiple data (SIMD) according to a depth of a trace dependency and a common operation code of the two or more candidate instructions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving instruction level parallelism across VLIW traces. Traces are statically grouped into VLIWs and dependency timing data is determined. VLIW traces are compared dynamically to determine data dependencies between consecutive traces. The dynamic comparison of dependency data determines the timing of execution for subsequent traces to maximize parallel execution of consecutive traces.

Abstract: Extended loop prediction techniques. One embodiment of an apparatus utilizing disclosed techniques includes at least one execution unit and a prefetcher utilizing a variable length loop detector to fetch a control sequence for the execution unit. The variable length loop detector is capable of predicting branches for loops having changing iterations counts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving branch prediction, the method including determining a target of a branch instruction; storing the target of the branch instruction before the branch instruction is fully executed; and re-encountering the branch instruction and predicting a target for the branch instruction by accessing the stored target for the branch instruction.