Graphics processing unit employing a standard processing unit and a method of constructing a graphics processing unit
AssigneeNVIDIA Corporation
InventorAlbert Meixner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Employing a general processing unit as a programmable function unit of a graphics pipeline and a method of manufacturing a graphics processing unit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the graphics pipeline includes: (1) accelerators, (2) an input output interface coupled to each of the accelerators and (3) a general processing unit coupled to the input output interface and configured as a programmable function unit of the graphics pipeline, the general processing unit configured to issue vector instructions via the input output interface to vector data paths for the programmable function unit.
Claims20
A graphics pipeline, comprising:
- accelerators;
- an input output interface coupled to each of said accelerators;
- and
- a general processing unit coupled to said input output interface and configured as a programmable function unit of said graphics pipeline, said general processing unit configured to issue vector instructions via said input output interface to vector data paths for said programmable function unit.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a scalar processing core programmed to emulate a function unit of a graphics pipeline;
- and
- a memory directly coupled to said scalar processing core and including a graphics register configured to store input and output operands for accelerators of said graphics pipeline.
A method of manufacturing a graphics processing unit employing a general processing unit, comprising:
- coupling a fixed function unit to an input output interface;
- coupling a general processing unit to said input output interface;
- programming said general processing unit to emulate a function unit of a graphics pipeline;
- and
- coupling vector data paths to said input output interface, wherein said vector data paths are associated with said general processing unit function unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.