Parallel date processing apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of processing data relating to geometrical primitives, each of which has a plurality of vertices, the method using a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) processing apparatus including an array of processing elements, the method comprising the steps of:
- assigning data of each different vertex to a different one of the processing elements in the array; and
on each processing element, and in parallel with one another, producing processed vertex data by performing at least one processing step on vertex data assigned to said processing element by said assigning step;
supplying the processed vertex data as feedback data to a mathematical expression evaluator (MEE) through a feedback path,wherein the MEE is separate from the array of processing elements and evaluates a mathematical expression to produce a data input for each of the processing elements, andwherein the feedback path includes direct connections to the processing elements and includes a feedback buffer that stores coefficients from the processing elements for the MEE; and
using the feedback path through the feedback buffer and the MEE to communicate data between processing elements, wherein a given data item is communicated as a constant coefficient with other variable coefficients being set to zero.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing apparatus includes a plurality of processing elements arranged in a single instruction multiple data array for processing data relating to graphical primitives. Vertex data relating to graphical primitives is used as feedback data for the processing elements for additional processing.
119 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of processing data relating to geometrical primitives, each of which has a plurality of vertices, the method using a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) processing apparatus including an array of processing elements, the method comprising the steps of:
-
assigning data of each different vertex to a different one of the processing elements in the array; and on each processing element, and in parallel with one another, producing processed vertex data by performing at least one processing step on vertex data assigned to said processing element by said assigning step; supplying the processed vertex data as feedback data to a mathematical expression evaluator (MEE) through a feedback path, wherein the MEE is separate from the array of processing elements and evaluates a mathematical expression to produce a data input for each of the processing elements, and wherein the feedback path includes direct connections to the processing elements and includes a feedback buffer that stores coefficients from the processing elements for the MEE; and using the feedback path through the feedback buffer and the MEE to communicate data between processing elements, wherein a given data item is communicated as a constant coefficient with other variable coefficients being set to zero. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A single instruction multiple data (SIMD) graphical data processing apparatus for processing data relating to geometrical primitives, the apparatus comprising:
-
an array of processing elements; and a control device operable to assign data of each different vertex to a different one of the processing elements; wherein each processing element is operable to produce processed vertex data by performing, in parallel with other processing elements, at least one processing step on vertex data assigned to said processing element by said assignment; a mathematical expression evaluator (MEE), which is separate from the array of processing elements; and a feedback bus, wherein the feedback bus is configured to supply the processed vertex data from the array of processing elements to the MEE, wherein the feedback bus includes direct connections to the processing elements and includes a feedback buffer that stores coefficients from the processing elements for the MEE; wherein the MEE receives the processed vertex data and evaluates a mathematical expression to produce a data input for each of the processing elements; and wherein the apparatus is configured to use the feedback path through the feedback buffer and the MEE to communicate data between processing elements, wherein a given data item is communicated as a constant coefficient with other variable coefficients being set to zero. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification