Functionality and performance of EPIC architectural features depend on
extensive compiler support. Predication, one of these features,
promises to reduce control flow overhead and to enhance optimization,
provided that compilers can utilize it effectively. Previous work has
established the need for accurate, direct predicate analysis and has
demonstrated a few useful techniques, but has not provided an
efficient, general framework. This paper presents the Predicate
Analysis System (PAS), which maps knowledge of predicate and condition
relations in general control flow onto a convenient logical substrate,
the reduced ordered binary decision diagram. PAS is the first such
framework to demonstrate direct, accurate, and efficient analysis of
arbitrary condition and predicate define networks in arbitrary control
flow.