Abstract: A graphics processing system sorts graphics primitives for rendering into lists corresponding to different sub-regions of a render output to be generated, each list indicating primitives to be processed for the render output. A primitive list building unit divides a render target into various sub-regions, determines which sub-regions a primitive falls within and adds the primitive to the primitive lists corresponding to those sub-regions. The primitive list building unit also records the positions of the primitives in a pair of histograms which show the distribution of primitives across the render output. Once all primitives for the render output have been sorted into lists, the histograms are outputted to a predictor processor. The predictor processor then determines a set of sub-region sizes to be used when sorting primitives for the next render output to be generated into lists, based on the histograms.

Abstract: A graphics processing unit 3 includes a rasterizer 25, a thread spawner 40, a programmable execution unit 41, a varying interpolator 42, a texture mapper 43, and a blender 29. The programmable execution unit 41 is able to communicate with the varying interpolator 42, the texture mapper 43 and the blender 29 to request processing operations by those graphic specific accelerators. In addition to this, these graphics-specific accelerators are also able to communicate directly with each other and with the thread spawner 40, independently of the programmable execution unit 41. This allows for certain graphics processing operations to be performed using direct communication between the graphics-specific accelerators of the graphics processing unit, instead of executing instructions in the programmable execution unit to trigger the performance of those operations by the graphics-specific accelerators.

Abstract: A graphics processing system sorts graphics primitives for rendering into lists corresponding to different sub-regions of a render output to be generated, each list indicating primitives to be processed for the render output. A primitive list building unit divides a render target into various sub-regions, determines which sub-regions a primitive falls within and adds the primitive to the primitive lists corresponding to those sub-regions. The primitive list building unit also records the positions of the primitives in a pair of histograms which show the distribution of primitives across the render output. Once all primitives for the render output have been sorted into lists, the histograms are outputted to a predictor processor. The predictor processor then determines a set of sub-region sizes to be used when sorting primitives for the next render output to be generated into lists, based on the histograms.

Abstract: A graphics processing unit 3 includes a rasteriser 25, a thread spawner 40, a programmable execution unit 41, a varying interpolator 42, a texture mapper 43, and a blender 29. The programmable execution unit 41 is able to communicate with the varying interpolator 42, the texture mapper 43 and the blender 29 to request processing operations by those graphic specific accelerators. In addition to this, these graphics-specific accelerators are also able to communicate directly with each other and with the thread spawner 40, independently of the programmable execution unit 41. This allows for certain graphics processing operations to be performed using direct communication between the graphics-specific accelerators of the graphics processing unit, instead of executing instructions in the programmable execution unit to trigger the performance of those operations by the graphics-specific accelerators.