Applying non-homogeneous properties to multiple video processing units (VPUs)

A multiprocessor system comprising:

• a plurality of processors each configurable to receive a set of commands that directs the processor to perform a task;
• and
• at least one driver configurable to build a command buffer comprising the set of commands such that each of the plurality of processors receives the same command buffer, and each processor performs different portions of the task, wherein the set of commands comprise a predicated execution command that precedes other commands within the set of commands, wherein the predicated execution command includes a processor select bit field used to determine whether commands that follow the predicated execution command should be processed and executed by a particular one of the processors, or whether a number N of the commands that follow the predicated execution command should be ignored, where N is programmed into a packet header.

A multiple video processing unit (VPU) processing method, comprising:

• forming a single command buffer that includes commands for each of the multiple VPUs, wherein the commands relate to a task to be shared by the multiple VPUs, and wherein the single command buffer is formed so as to be interpreted individually by each of the multiple VPUs;
• making the single command buffer available to each of the multiple VPUs concurrently so that each of the multiple VPUs concurrently executes respective commands in the single command buffer;
• wherein the set of commands comprise a predicated execution command that precedes other commands within the set of commands, the predicated execution command including a VPU select bit field used to determine whether commands that follow the predicated execution command should be processed and executed by a particular one of the VPUs, or whether a number N of the commands that follow the predicated execution command should be ignored, where N is programmed into a packet header.