GPU Command Stream Parser Dynamic Rendering Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current graphics processing units (GPUs) face high power consumption and performance limitations due to their reliance on a single rendering mode, which leads to inefficient memory access and processing of primitives, resulting in increased power usage and suboptimal graphics performance.

Innovation Solution

A GPU with a command stream parser (CSP) that includes a profiling unit to dynamically switch between two rendering modes - immediate rendering mode and tile rendering mode - based on performance statistics, such as drawing time and number of graphics objects, to optimize memory flow and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single rendering mode is used in the GPU, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases and graphics processing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering mode configurationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic rendering mode switching between immediate rendering mode and tile rendering mode based on real-time performance statistics collected by the profiling unit. The CSP monitors drawing time and number of graphics objects, and automatically switches rendering modes to optimize power consumption while maintaining graphics processing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the GPU by switching between different rendering modes (immediate rendering mode and tile rendering mode) based on performance statistics. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different workloads and optimize power consumption without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a single rendering mode is used in the GPU, then the device complexity is reduced, but the graphics processing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering mode configurationVSAvoidgraphics processing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a profiling unit that continuously monitors performance statistics (drawing time, number of graphics objects) and provides feedback to the CSP. This feedback mechanism enables the system to make informed decisions about rendering mode switching, thereby optimizing graphics processing performance without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If temporary pixel data is written to memory when built-in buffer space is insufficient, then the buffer capacity is extended, but memory access resources are wasted and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between immediate rendering mode and tile rendering mode based on the available buffer capacity and performance statistics. When the built-in buffer can accommodate temporary pixel data, the system uses tile rendering mode to avoid unnecessary memory writes, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient buffer capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If each processing stage renders each primitive one by one, then the device complexity is reduced, but the graphics processing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing pipeline structureVSAvoidgraphics processing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between immediate rendering mode and tile rendering mode based on performance statistics. The tile rendering mode enables parallel processing of multiple primitives by dividing the rendering target into tiles, thereby improving graphics processing performance without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10628911B2Computer system, graphics processing unit, and graphics processing method thereof that are capable of switching different rendering modes

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 GLENFLY TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is provided. The GPU includes a command stream parser (CSP) including a profiling unit used to provide performance statistics data for the GPU to determine a rendering mode of the GPU, wherein the rendering mode includes a first rendering mode and a second rendering mode for performing a graphics rendering pipeline for graphics processing. The profiling unit calculates drawing time of frames and the number of objects in the frames when the GPU operates in the first rendering mode, and determines whether the operation of the GPU is switched to the second rendering mode according to the calculated drawing time and the number of objects; when determining that the calculated drawing time and the number of objects are less than their respective thresholds, the CSP causes the operation of the GPU to switch from the first rendering mode to the second rendering mode.