Monitoring graphics processing

A method of generating monitoring data for a graphics processing apparatus rendering a frame of pixel values representing a scene, said method comprising the steps of:

• separately rendering different areas of said frame;
• capturing for each area rendered one or more performance parameters;
• and
• separately storing for each area said one or more performance parameters captured.

A graphics processing apparatus for rendering a frame of pixel values representing a scene, said graphics processing apparatus comprising:

• rendering means for rendering separately different areas of said frame;
• performance monitoring means coupled to said rendering means for capturing for each area rendered one or more performance parameters;
• and
• performance parameter memory means coupled to said performance monitoring means for storing separately for each area said one or more performance parameters captured by said performance monitoring means.

A graphics processing apparatus for rendering a frame of pixel values representing a scene, said graphics processing apparatus comprising:

• rendering circuitry for rendering separately different areas of said frame;
• performance monitoring circuitry coupled to said rendering circuitry to capture for each area rendered one or more performance parameters, said performance monitoring circuitry comprising one or more counters coupled to respective points within said graphics processing apparatus to count events associated with rendering of each area;
• a counter controller configured to read current values of said one or more counters upon completion of rendering of a currently active area by said rendering circuitry;
• and
• a performance parameter memory coupled to said performance monitoring circuitry to store separately for each area said values of said one or more counter as said one or more performance parameters captured by said performance monitoring circuitry.

A method of generating monitoring data for a graphics processing apparatus rendering a frame of pixel values representing a scene, said method comprising the steps of:

• separately rendering different areas of said frame;
• capturing for each area rendered one or more performance parameters using one or more counters coupled to respective points within said graphics processing apparatus to count events associated with rendering of each area;
• reading current values of said one or more counters upon completion of rendering of a currently active area;
• and
• separately storing for each area said values of said one or more counters as said one or more performance parameters captured.

A graphics processing apparatus for rendering a frame of pixel values representing a scene, said graphics processing apparatus comprising:

• rendering means for rendering separately different areas of said frame;
• performance monitoring means coupled to said rendering means for capturing for each area rendered one or more performance parameters, said performance monitoring means comprising one or more counting means, coupled to respective points within said graphics processing means, for counting events associated with rendering of each area;
• counter controlling means for reading current values of said one or more counting means upon completion of rendering of a currently active area by said rendering means;
• and
• performance parameter memory means coupled to said performance monitoring means for storing separately for each area said current values of said one or more counting means as said one or more performance parameters captured by said performance monitoring means.