Introduction to Predicate Execution

Wen-mei W. Hwu

Abstract: The story of Merced, Intel’s first processor based on its next-generation 64-bit architecture, will continue to unfold in 1998. Intel expects this product of its collaboration with Hewlett-Packard to reach volume production in 1999. To date, however, the two companies have released few details about Intel Architecture 64 (IA-64). One significant change they did admit to at the October 1997 Microprocessor Forum was the switch to full predicated execution, a technique that no other commercial general-purpose processor employs.