Abstract: A system and method for reordering memory references for pixels to improved bandwidth and performance in texture mapping systems and other graphics systems by improving memory locality in conventional page-mode memory systems. Pixel memory references are received from a client graphics engine and placed in a pixel priority heap. The pixel priority heap reorders the pixel memory references so that references requiring a currently open page are, in general, processed before references that require page breaks. Reordered pixel memory references are transmitted to a memory controller for accessing memory.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 9, 1997
Date of Patent:
December 22, 1998
Assignee:
S3 Incorporation
Inventors:
Michael B. Cox, Dinyar B. Lahewala, Dong-Ying Kuo