Method and apparatus for display of data

A graphics processing unit coupled to a display monitor adapted to display characters, the graphics processing unit comprising:

• an interface to a memory controller for accessing stored information;
• at least one local memory unit, and
• a graphics controller unit configured to retrieve a first set of N parameter values, each associated with a different one of N characters to be displayed in a row of the monitor, and to store the retrieved first set of N parameter values in the at least one local memory unit, said graphics controller unit further configured to compute N memory addresses each computed using a different one of the N parameter values and further configured to perform burst memory operations to retrieve a second set of N parameter values using the computed addresses, each parameter value of the second set of N parameter values being associated with a different one of the N characters to be displayed in the row of the monitor;
• wherein said graphics controller unit is further configured to store the retrieved second set of N parameter values in the at least one local memory unit, and is further configured to scan out the stored second set of N parameter values for use in the display of the N characters;
• wherein the graphics controller unit comprises an isochronous VGA controller used to handle memory latency caused by retrieving N parameter values or caused by having the memory controller and the graphics processing unit being disposed on two separate integrated circuits, while maintaining VGA compatibility,
• wherein the memory controller is disposed as an integral part of a computer system,
• wherein the isochronous VGA controller is disposed in the graphics processing unit and the graphics processing unit is disposed in a video adapter,
• wherein the video adapter is an add-in card coupled to the memory controller via a communication link.

A computer system comprising:

• a central processing unit further comprising a memory controller;
• a system memory coupled to the memory controller;
• a display monitor adapted to display characters;
• a media access controller unit;
• and
• a graphics processing unit comprising:
• at least one local memory unit,
• a graphics controller unit configured to retrieve a first set of N parameter values, each associated with a different one of N characters to be displayed in a row of the monitor, and to store the retrieved first set of N parameter values in the at least one local memory unit, said graphics controller unit further configured to compute N addresses of the system memory each computed using a different one of the N parameter values and further configured to perform burst read operations of the system memory to retrieve a second set of N parameter values using the computed addresses, each parameter value of the second set of N parameter values being associated with a different one of the N characters to be displayed in the row of the monitor;
• wherein said graphics controller unit is further configured to store the retrieved second set of N parameter values in the at least one local memory unit, and is further configured to scan out the stored second set of N parameter values for use in the display of the N characters;
• wherein the graphics controller unit comprises an isochronous VGA controller used to handle memory latency caused by retrieving N parameter values or caused by having the memory controller and the graphics processing unit being disposed on two separate integrated circuits, while maintaining VGA compatibility, wherein the memory controller is disposed as an integral part of a computer system,
• wherein the isochronous VGA controller is disposed in the graphics processing unit and the graphics processing unit is disposed in a video adapter,
• wherein the video adapter is an add-in card coupled to the memory controller via a communication link.

A computer system comprising:

• a central processing unit;
• a system memory;
• a control unit coupled to the central processing unit and comprising a memory controller configured to access the system memory;
• a display monitor adapted to display characters;
• a media access controller unit;
• and
• a graphics processing unit comprising:
• at least one local memory unit,
• a graphics controller unit configured to retrieve a first set of N parameter values, each associated with a different one of N characters to be displayed in a row of the monitor, and to store the retrieved first set of N parameter values in the at least one local memory unit, said graphics controller unit further configured to compute N addresses of the system memory each computed using a different one of the N parameter values and further configured to perform burst read operations of the system memory to retrieve a second set of N parameter values using the computed addresses, each parameter value of the second set of N parameter values being associated with a different one of the N characters to be displayed in the row of the monitor;
• wherein said graphics controller unit is further configured to store the retrieved second set of N parameter values in the at least one local memory unit, and is further configured to scan out the stored second set of N parameter values for use in the display of the N characters;
• wherein the graphics controller unit comprises an isochronous VGA controller used to handle memory latency caused by retrieving N parameter values or caused by having the memory controller and the graphics processing unit being disposed on two separate integrated circuits, while maintaining VGA compatibility,
• wherein the memory controller is disposed as an integral part of a computer system,
• wherein the isochronous VGA controller is disposed in the graphics processing unit and the graphics processing unit is disposed in a video adapter,
• wherein the video adapter is an add-in card coupled to the memory controller via a communication link.