Implementing a Branch Predictor – A
Practical Approach
Now that you understand branch prediction theoretically, let's go into real-life
implementation. I’ll break it down into:
1. Designing a Branch Predictor
2. Inputs & Outputs
3. Functional Blocks & Responsibilities
4. Verification Methods
5. BTB Integration
6. Practical Implementation & Concepts to Focus On
1. Designing a Branch Predictor (Example: 2-bit
Saturating Counter)
Let's implement a simple 2-bit branch predictor as used in real processors like Intel
Pentium and MIPS R10K.
Basic Algorithm:
Each branch instruction has a 2-bit counter to track history.
If a branch is taken, the counter is incremented.
If a branch is not taken, the counter is decremented.
The branch is predicted taken if the counter is 2 or 3, otherwise not taken.
Counter Value Prediction State Transition
00 Not Taken 00 → 01 if taken
01 Not Taken 01 → 00 if not taken, 01 → 10 if taken
10 Taken 10 → 01 if not taken, 10 → 11 if taken
11 Taken 11 → 10 if not taken
🔹 Why a 2-bit predictor?
A 1-bit predictor mispredicts loops often (T-T-T-T-NT-T-T will mispredict on NT).
A 2-bit counter reduces mispredictions by allowing one incorrect prediction before
switching states.
2. Inputs & Outputs for a Branch Predictor
Signal Type Description
PC (Program The address of the fetched instruction (used to index the
Input
Counter) predictor table).
Branch Taken (BT) Input Comes from execution; 1 if the branch was taken, 0 if not.
Prediction Output 1 if branch is predicted taken, 0 if not.
Update Signal Input Tells the predictor to update after branch resolution.
Prediction Correct? Output 1 if prediction was correct, 0 if incorrect.
3. Functional Blocks & Responsibilities
A branch predictor consists of three main blocks:
1. Pattern History Table (PHT) – Stores Prediction States
The PHT is an array of 2-bit counters, indexed using part of the PC.
Each entry keeps track of branch behavior.
🔹 Example of a PHT (simplified table for PC lower bits 3-bit indexing)
PC Index (3 bits) 2-bit Counter Prediction
000 10 Taken
001 11 Taken
010 01 Not Taken
011 00 Not Taken
📌 Implementation: This can be implemented using SRAM or LUTs in FPGA.
2. Branch Target Buffer (BTB) – Stores Target Addresses
If a branch is predicted taken, we need to fetch instructions from the correct target.
The BTB maps PC → Target Address.
🔹 Example BTB Table
PC (Tag) Target Address
0x100 0x400
0x104 0x500
📌 Implementation: Can be a CAM (Content Addressable Memory) + SRAM array.
3. Control Logic – Updates Prediction Table
If the prediction was wrong, the control logic updates the counter.
This logic checks the Branch Taken signal and adjusts the PHT counter
accordingly.
📌 Implementation: Can be a Finite State Machine (FSM) implemented in Verilog/VHDL.
4. How to Verify the Implementation?
To ensure the branch predictor works correctly, we need functional verification.
Simulation Approach (RTL Level)
Implement in Verilog/VHDL.
Run branch instruction test cases using testbenches.
Check if predicted branch matches actual branch.
Testbench Example (Verilog)
module branch_predictor_tb;
reg clk, reset;
reg [31:0] pc;
reg branch_taken;
wire prediction;
branch_predictor uut (
.clk(clk),
.pc(pc),
.branch_taken(branch_taken),
.prediction(prediction)
);
initial begin
$monitor("PC=%h, Branch Taken=%b, Prediction=%b", pc, branch_taken,
prediction);
clk = 0; reset = 1;
#5 reset = 0;
// Case 1: First branch at 0x100, actually taken
pc = 32'h100;
branch_taken = 1;
#10;
// Case 2: Branch at 0x100 again, should predict correctly
pc = 32'h100;
branch_taken = 1;
#10;
// Case 3: Branch at 0x100, not taken this time
pc = 32'h100;
branch_taken = 0;
#10;
$finish;
end
always #5 clk = ~clk;
endmodule
📌 Tools for Testing:
Verilog Simulation: ModelSim, Xilinx Vivado
FPGA Implementation: Xilinx/Intel Quartus
Cycle-accurate Performance Testing: GEM5, SimpleScalar
5. BTB Integration
The BTB helps in fast target address prediction.
If the branch predictor says “branch taken”, the BTB provides the target address
so fetching continues from the correct address.
The BTB is updated only on actual branch execution.
🔹 Steps for Integration:
1. When fetching, check the BTB. If PC matches an entry, use its target.
2. If the branch is predicted taken but not in the BTB → stall pipeline and fetch
normally.
3. If the branch mispredicts, update the BTB.
6. What Concepts Should You Focus On?
Now that you're implementing, focus on these practical topics:
✅ Digital Design (Verilog, VHDL) – For FPGA or ASIC implementation.
✅ Pipelining Concepts – Since branch prediction interacts with pipeline stalls & flushes.
✅ Memory Design (SRAM, CAM, LUTs) – Used for implementing PHT & BTB.
✅ Finite State Machines (FSMs) – Used for update logic.
✅ Performance Evaluation – Learn how to measure misprediction rates using real
workloads.
✅ Simulation & Debugging – Using tools like Verilog testbenches, GEM5, SimpleScalar.
✅ Power & Area Optimization – If designing for embedded systems.
Final Thoughts
🔹 You can implement a branch predictor using Verilog, with PHT as SRAM, BTB as
CAM, and control logic using FSM.
🔹 Verification is done using RTL simulation & cycle-accurate models.
🔹 For real-world testing, integrate into a processor core in FPGA or use GEM5 for
software simulation.
Would you like help with writing full Verilog code for a 2-bit predictor, or do you want
more details on verification techniques? 🚀
Which are Stages will be responsible for their input outputs ?
How will you verify the implementation ?
What about BTB ?
1. Stages Responsible for Inputs & Outputs of the Branch Predictor
In a pipelined processor, different pipeline stages handle various aspects of branch
prediction. Here’s how:
Pipeline Stage Role in Branch Prediction Inputs Outputs
Instruction Makes an early branch PC (Program Branch Prediction, Target
Fetch (IF) prediction Counter) Address (from BTB)
Instruction Decodes branch instruction, Fetched Valid Branch Instruction,
Decode (ID) checks BTB for target instruction PC for Lookup
Operands, ALU Actual Branch Outcome
Execution (EX) Evaluates branch condition
result (Taken/Not Taken)
Memory Access Used for conditional branches
Branch decision None (for most cases)
(MEM) (if needed)
Write-Back Updates predictor & BTB if Actual Branch Update Signals for
(WB) misprediction occurred Outcome Predictor & BTB
📌 Where is the Branch Predictor Located?
The Branch Predictor logic is in the IF stage to predict branches early and avoid
stalls.
The BTB is typically in the IF or ID stage (some processors use ID to reduce false
positives).
🔹 Example:
1. IF Stage: Checks the BTB & PHT. If the branch is predicted taken, it fetches from
the BTB’s target.
2. EX Stage: Computes the actual outcome. If mispredicted, the pipeline is flushed and
restarted.
3. WB Stage: Updates the Branch Predictor & BTB based on real execution.
2. How to Verify the Implementation?
Branch predictor verification involves functional testing, performance evaluation, and
hardware testing.
1. Functional Verification (RTL Simulation)
Write testbenches in Verilog/VHDL.
Provide different branch patterns (loops, random branches).
Check if predicted outcome matches the actual outcome.
🔹 Example Testbench (Verilog for 2-bit Predictor)
module branch_predictor_tb;
reg clk, reset;
reg [31:0] pc;
reg branch_taken;
wire prediction;
branch_predictor uut (
.clk(clk),
.pc(pc),
.branch_taken(branch_taken),
.prediction(prediction)
);
initial begin
$monitor("PC=%h, Branch Taken=%b, Prediction=%b", pc, branch_taken,
prediction);
clk = 0; reset = 1;
#5 reset = 0;
// Case 1: First branch at 0x100, actually taken
pc = 32'h100;
branch_taken = 1;
#10;
// Case 2: Branch at 0x100 again, should predict correctly
pc = 32'h100;
branch_taken = 1;
#10;
// Case 3: Branch at 0x100, not taken this time
pc = 32'h100;
branch_taken = 0;
#10;
$finish;
end
always #5 clk = ~clk;
endmodule
2. Performance Testing (Cycle-Accurate Simulation)
Use GEM5 or SimpleScalar to measure the misprediction rate.
Run SPEC benchmarks to evaluate real-world performance.
Check how the predictor affects CPI (Cycles Per Instruction).
3. FPGA/ASIC Verification (Synthesis & Prototyping)
Implement in FPGA (Xilinx, Intel Quartus).
Perform hardware debugging using on-chip logic analyzers.
3. What About the Branch Target Buffer (BTB)?
The BTB stores target addresses of previously taken branches.
🔹 BTB Operations:
Lookup (IF Stage): If a branch is predicted taken, fetch from BTB target.
Update (WB Stage): If mispredicted, update the BTB with the new target.
🔹 BTB Table Example (4 Entries)
PC (Tag) Target Address
0x100 0x400
0x104 0x500
0x108 0x200
0x10C 0x600
📌 Implementation:
The BTB can be built using a CAM (Content Addressable Memory).
Uses associative lookup to match PC values.
Key Takeaways
✅ IF & ID stages handle prediction, EX handles resolution, WB updates predictor.
✅ Verification requires RTL simulation, performance testing, and FPGA prototyping.
✅ BTB stores target addresses and must be updated on misprediction.
Would you like me to write a full Verilog implementation for a branch predictor & BTB?
🚀
