Patent ID: 7461243

Claim:
A processor comprising: a branch prediction array configured to store a plurality of branch predictions for conditional branches; an index generator coupled to the branch prediction array, wherein the index generator is configured to generate an index to the branch prediction array to read at least one of the plurality of branch predictions, wherein generating the index comprises logically combining at least: (i) at least a portion of a fetch address corresponding to a fetch request that is at a first pipeline stage of the processor; and (ii) a branch history maintained by the index generator; and a control unit coupled to the index generator, wherein the control unit is configured to update the branch history maintained by the index generator responsive to at least a first fetch request at the first pipeline stage, and wherein the control unit is configured to defer an update for at least a second fetch request to a second pipeline stage subsequent to the first pipeline stage, wherein instructions corresponding to the second fetch request are scanned to identify conditional branches at the second pipeline stage.