Abstract: A graphics accelerator includes a vertex input for receiving vertex data, an output for forwarding processed data, and a processor coupled with the vertex input and output. The graphics accelerator also includes an instruction input that receives instructions for processing the vertex data received from the vertex input. The processor is responsive to wide word instructions.

Abstract: A graphics accelerator includes a vertex input for receiving vertex data, an output for forwarding processed data, and a processor coupled with the vertex input and output. The graphics accelerator also includes an instruction input that receives instructions for processing the vertex data received from the vertex input. The processor is responsive to wide word instructions.

Abstract: A graphics accelerator includes a plurality of digital signal processors that are arranged in a self-regulating, peer-to-peer configuration. Accordingly, the processors cooperate to process, on a cyclical basis, each of a successive series of graphics requests received over a request bus. To that end, each processor includes a request bus, an input in communication with the request bus, and an output coupled to a sequencer for ordering graphics requests processed by the digital signal processors.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing, at a system frame display rate, a first set of frames displayed by a first monitor with a second set of frames by a second monitor, utilizes frame production rates of the two sets of frames to set the system frame display rate. More particularly, the first set of frames are produced at a first frame production rate by a first graphics engine, and the second set of frames are produced at a second frame production rate by a second graphics engine. The first frame production rate and second frame production rate first are compared to determine which frame production rate is slower. The system frame display rate then is set to be no greater than the slower of the two frame production rates.

Abstract: A method for determining data characterizing a primitive resulting after the primitive has been subjected to clipping determines the data after the primitive has been clipped. The data, which may be attribute data, is not determined prior to clipping, thereby saving processing time if the primitive is clipped entirely from view (i.e., a viewing plane displayed on a display device). The primitive initially is defined by a set of initial vertices and a set of attributes associated with the initial vertices. After each instance of clipping, the primitive becomes a resulting primitive defined by a modified set of vertices that may include a new vertex and a modified set of attributes associated with the modified set of vertices.