Application Layer Rendering Sync for High-FPS Display Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased hardware display speeds in devices like smartphones and high-definition televisions pose challenges in synchronizing application layers that render visual information, leading to unsmooth displays and computational spikes when all layers are forced to render at the same high frequency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a render manager that utilizes multiple render sync signals with varying frequencies and phase offsets to synchronize application layers independently, allowing each layer to choose its preferred render frequency based on quality of service categories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all application layers are forced to render at the highest display frequency, then display smoothness is improved, but computational demand spikes and resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the unified rendering synchronization into multiple independent render sync signals with different frequencies. Each application layer can be assigned to a specific sync signal frequency (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz) based on its requirements, rather than forcing all layers to use the highest frequency. This segmentation allows computational demand to be distributed across different time intervals and frequency domains, reducing peak power consumption while maintaining display smoothness for critical layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic frequency selection where the render sync scheduler can dynamically assign different sync signal frequencies to different application layers based on real-time conditions. The system can adjust which layers render at higher frequencies and which at lower frequencies, creating a dynamic balance between display smoothness and computational demand. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt resource allocation rather than using a static highest-frequency-for-all approach.
2Power
If multiple render sync signals with different frequencies are introduced, then computational demand is distributed and resource usage is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal render sync scheduler that can handle multiple sync signal frequencies through a single unified control mechanism. Rather than creating separate synchronization systems for each frequency, the scheduler provides multi-functional capability to manage 60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz and other frequencies within one system. This universal approach reduces the complexity increase that would otherwise result from having multiple independent synchronization subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The render sync scheduler acts as an intermediary layer between the display hardware and application layers. It receives rendering requests from applications and intermediates by assigning them to appropriate sync signal frequencies, then coordinates with the display pipeline. This intermediary role simplifies the complexity by providing a single point of control that translates diverse application requirements into coordinated multi-frequency synchronization, rather than requiring direct complex interactions between all components.
3Power
If application layers render at varying frequencies, then resource usage is distributed more evenly, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic render sync signals at different frequencies (60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz) that are mathematically related through integer ratios. This periodic structure with harmonic relationships creates predictable, repeating patterns that simplify synchronization coordination. The periodic nature allows the system to use timing relationships and phase alignment strategies that are easier to manage than arbitrary frequencies, reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring synchronization states across multiple layers rendering at varying frequencies.
Data Source
AI summary
High frames-per-second (FPS) displays are becoming more ubiquitous in devices such as smartphones, laptops, etc. For displaying data on displays, render sync signal and compose sync signal control timings of rendering and composing. Conventionally, there is one render sync signal and one compose sync signal for a display, and both share the same frequency as the HW sync signal of the display hardware. As the FPS of the display becomes faster and faster, i.e., as HW sync signal frequency increases, some application layers may be unable to render fast enough to keep up with the increased frequency. To address this issue, it is proposed to provide multiple render sync signals of differing frequencies and phases, and different render sync signals may be used to control the timings of rendering of different application layers. Through such managing of the application layer rendering, a better user experience can be provided.