Dynamically Improving Branch Prediction Accuracy Between Contexts

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel framework for dynamically detecting and mitigating destructive interference in branch prediction across context switches, significantly improving prediction accuracy in multi-context environments.

Contribution

It proposes a new scheme to identify and address destructive interference caused by context switches, enhancing branch predictor performance.

Findings

Framework reduces destructive interference effects

Experimental results show improved branch prediction accuracy

Effective across different processor architectures

Abstract

Branch prediction is a standard feature in most processors, significantly improving the run time of programs by allowing a processor to predict the direction of a branch before it has been evaluated. Current branch prediction methods can achieve excellent prediction accuracy through global tables, various hashing methods, and even machine learning techniques such as SVMs or neural networks. Such designs, however, may lose effectiveness when attempting to predict across context switches in the operating system. Such a scenario may lead to destructive interference between contexts, therefore reducing overall predictor accuracy. To solve this problem, we propose a novel scheme for deciding whether a context switch produces destructive or constructive interference. First, we present evidence that shows that destructive interference can have a significant negative impact on prediction accuracy. Second, we present an extensible framework that keeps track of context switches and prediction accuracy to improve overall accuracy. Experimental results show that this framework effectively reduces the effect of destructive interference on branch prediction.