Processor, and system and method for predicting the bias of indirect control transfer instructions

Abstract

A processor may include an indirect control transfer prediction circuit. During fetch of an indirect control transfer instruction from memory to an instruction cache of the processor, the indirect control transfer prediction circuit may predict whether the indirect control transfer instruction is biased. Responsive to a prediction that the indirect control transfer instruction is biased, the indirect control transfer prediction circuit may cause the indirect control transfer instruction to be executed as an unconditional direct control transfer instruction according to the predicted bias.

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