ASTC Texture Decoder Using Shared Data for Parallel Texels

Solution Overview

Problem

Decoding texture data compressed in the Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC) format requires multiple decoders to process multiple texels simultaneously, which is costly in terms of hardware resources and silicon area.

Innovation Solution

A multi-output decoder that decodes multiple texels from a block of texture data using shared intermediate data, such as configuration, color endpoint, and interpolation weight data, reducing the need for redundant hardware by using common intermediate data across multiple decoding operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple single-output decoders are used to decode multiple texels simultaneously, then the decoding throughput is improved, but the hardware resources and silicon area increase proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding throughputVSAvoidhardware resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple decoding operations into a single multi-output decoder by sharing common functional units (parameter decode unit, colour decode unit, weight decode unit, interpolator units) across multiple texel decoding tasks. This allows simultaneous decoding of multiple texels while avoiding proportional increases in hardware resources, as the shared units serve multiple output channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The decoder implements universal functional units that can serve multiple purposes: the parameter decode unit decodes configuration data for multiple texels, the colour decode unit processes colour endpoint data for multiple texels, and the weight decode unit handles interpolation weight data for multiple texels. This multi-functionality enables a single decoder to replace multiple single-output decoders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple single-output decoders are used to decode multiple texels simultaneously, then the decoding throughput is improved, but the silicon area increases proportionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding throughputVSAvoidsilicon area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple decoding operations into a single multi-output decoder by sharing common functional units (parameter decode unit, colour decode unit, weight decode unit, interpolator units) across multiple texel decoding tasks. This allows simultaneous decoding of multiple texels while avoiding proportional increases in hardware resources, as the shared units serve multiple output channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple single-output decoders are used to decode multiple texels simultaneously, then the decoding throughput is improved, but the hardware cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding throughputVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple decoding operations into a single multi-output decoder by sharing common functional units (parameter decode unit, colour decode unit, weight decode unit, interpolator units) across multiple texel decoding tasks. This allows simultaneous decoding of multiple texels while avoiding proportional increases in hardware resources, as the shared units serve multiple output channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The decoder implements universal functional units that can serve multiple purposes: the parameter decode unit decodes configuration data for multiple texels, the colour decode unit processes colour endpoint data for multiple texels, and the weight decode unit handles interpolation weight data for multiple texels. This multi-functionality enables a single decoder to replace multiple single-output decoders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12488516B2Multi-output decoder for texture decompression

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 IMAGINATION TECH LTD

AI summary

A decoder decodes a plurality of texels from a received block of texture data encoded according to the Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC) format. A parameter decode unit decodes configuration data for the received block of texture data, a colour decode unit decodes colour endpoint data for the plurality of texels in dependence on the configuration data, a weight decode unit decodes interpolation weight data for each of the plurality of texels in dependence on the configuration data, and at least one interpolator unit calculates a colour value for each of the plurality of texels using the interpolation weight data for that texel and a pair of colour endpoints from the colour endpoint data. At least one of the parameter decode unit, colour decode unit and weight decode unit decodes intermediate data from the received block that is common to the decoding of a subset of texels of that block and uses that decoded data as part of the decoding of at least two of the plurality of texels.