Graphics Processor Tile-Based Geometry Data Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile-based graphics processing systems face inefficiencies in the transfer of transformed geometry data between programmable processing units and tiling units, leading to increased bandwidth requirements and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves shifting the generation of data for the second processing pass from the tiling unit to the programmable processing units, allowing more of the first processing pass to be performed by general-purpose programmable units, thereby reducing hardware circuit area and bandwidth requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transformed geometry data is transferred between tiling unit and programmable processing units, then processing can be distributed, but bandwidth requirements and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable processing units perform the geometry transformation and data generation during the first processing pass, preparing all necessary data in advance before the second processing pass. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent data transfers between tiling units and programmable processing units, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining processing distribution benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the data generation function from the tiling unit and assigns it to the programmable processing units. By taking out the geometry transformation task from the tiling unit, the system eliminates the harmful data transfer overhead and reduces overall power consumption while preserving the adaptability of distributed processing.
2Area of stationary object
If more processing is done by programmable units, then hardware circuit area is reduced, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable processing units are designed to perform multiple functions: geometry transformation, data generation for the second processing pass, and potential rendering operations. By making these units universal and multi-functional, the system reduces the need for dedicated hardware circuits for each function, thereby reducing overall hardware circuit area while managing processing complexity through software programmability.
Data Source
AI summary
A tile-based graphics processor performs first and second processing passes to generate a render output. The first processing pass generates data that is used in the second processing pass to determine which primitives to process for which rendering tiles. The first processing pass is performed by a geometry processing control unit assembling primitives, and one or more programmable processing units transforming geometry data defining the primitives, and processing the transformed geometry data to generate the data.