Question: A simple RISC CPU is implemented with a single scalar instruction processing pipeline. Instructions are always executed sequentially except in the case of branch instructions.

A simple RISC CPU is implemented with a single scalar instruction processing pipeline. Instructions are always executed sequentially except in the case of branch instructions. Given that pb is the probability of a given instruction being a branch, pt is the probability of a branch being taken, pc is the probability of a correct prediction, b is the branch penalty in clock cycles, and c is the penalty for a correctly predicted branch:

a. Calculate the throughput for this instruction pipeline if no branch prediction is made given that pb = 0.16, pt = 0.3, and b = 3.

b. Assume that we use a branch prediction technique to try to improve the pipeline’s performance. What would be the throughput if c = 1, pc = 0.8, and the other values are the same as above?

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a To calculate the throughput without branch prediction we need to consider the CPI Cycles Per Instr... View full answer

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