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Branch predictor
In computer architecture, a branch predictor is a digital circuit that tries to guess which way a branch (e.g., an if–then–else structure) will go before this is known definitively. The purpose of the branch predictor is to improve the flow in the instruction pipeline. Branch predictors play a critical role in achieving high performance in many modern pipelinedmicroprocessor architectures. Two-way branching is usually implemented with a conditional jump instruction.
Branch target predictorIn computer architecture, a branch target predictor is the part of a processor that predicts the target, i.e., the address of the instruction that is executed next, of a taken conditional branch or unconditional branch instruction before the target of the branch instruction is computed by the execution unit of the processor. Branch target prediction is not the same as branch prediction, which guesses whether a conditional branch will be taken or not-taken in a binary manner.
Pentium MThe Pentium M is Intel's family of mobile 32-bit single-core x86microprocessors based on the sixth-generation P6 microarchitecture introduced in March 2003 and forming a part of the Intel Carmel notebook platform under the then new Centrino brand. The Pentium M processors had a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of 5–27 W depending on the model, and were intended for use in laptops (thus the "M" suffix standing for mobile).
Branch (computer science)A branch, jump or transfer is an instruction in a computer program that can cause a computer to begin executing a different instruction sequence and thus deviate from its default behavior of executing instructions in order. Branch (or branching, branched) may also refer to the act of switching execution to a different instruction sequence as a result of executing a branch instruction.
Pentium 4Pentium 4 is a series of single-core CPUs for desktops, laptops and entry-level servers manufactured by Intel. The processors were shipped from November 20, 2000 until August 8, 2008. All Pentium 4 CPUs are based on the NetBurst microarchitecture, the successor to the P6, and were the flagship processors in Intel's CPU lineup until 2004 before being relegated to mid-range upon the release of the Pentium Extreme Edition.
SPARCSPARC (Scalable Processor ARChitecture) is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture originally developed by Sun Microsystems.Speculative executionIn computer science and processor design, speculative execution or speculation is a design characteristic where a processor is able to perform potentially useful work by guessing what work is needed next, compute them prematurely, and immediately applying or discarding the results when the work's necessity is eventually known. Since the 21st century, speculation is commonly seen on superscalarcentral processors (CPUs), as an optimization technique to increase its performance.
Instruction pipeliningIn computer engineering, instruction pipelining is a technique for implementing instruction-level parallelism within a single processor. Pipelining attempts to keep every part of the processor busy with some instruction by dividing incoming instructions into a series of sequential steps (the eponymous "pipeline") performed by different processor units with different parts of instructions processed in parallel.
MicroprocessorA microprocessor is a computer processor for which the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit (IC), or a small number of ICs. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to perform the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU). The microprocessor is capable of interpreting and executing machine code and performing arithmetic operations.
Computer performanceIn computing, computer performance is the amount of useful work accomplished by a computer system. Outside specific contexts, computer performance is estimated in terms of accuracy, efficiency and speed of executing computer program instructions. When it comes to high computer performance, one or more of the following factors might be involved: Short response time for a given piece of work.High throughput (rate of processing work tasks).Low utilization of computing resources.
Computer architectureIn computer science and computer engineering, a computer architecture is the conceptual design and operational structure of a computer system that define how component parts are organized and interact to execute programs efficiently. It is often a general description that ignores precise implementation details. It covers the instruction set architecture, CPU microarchitecture, memory, and input/output systems.
Digital electronicsDigital electronics is a field of electronics involving the study of digital signals and the engineering of devices that use or produce them. It deals with the relationship between binary inputs and outputs by passing electrical signals through logical gates, resistors, capacitors, amplifiers, and other electronic components.
Clock signalIn electronics and especially synchronous digital circuits, a clock signal (historically also known as logic beat) is an electronic logic signal (voltage or current) which oscillates between a high and a low state at a constant frequency and is used like a metronome to synchronize actions of digital circuits.
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