Abstract: When performing a sequence of rendering jobs, rendering tasks for separate rendering jobs are permitted to overlap within the graphics processor's processing (shader) cores. A record is maintained of which rendering tasks are currently being processed by the graphics processor's processing (shader) cores which record can then be used to enforce any data (processing) dependencies between different rendering jobs.

Abstract: When generating a sequence of render outputs using a graphics processor, the completion status of rendering tasks from different render outputs is tracked so that processing tasks for later render outputs in the sequence of outputs can be processed concurrently with processing tasks for earlier render outputs in the sequence of outputs whilst ensuring that any dependencies between the rendering tasks for the different render outputs are enforced. In particular, there is disclosed a mechanism for suspending the sequence of rendering jobs (so that it may subsequently be resumed).

Abstract: A method of preparing a command stream for a parallel processor, comprising: analysing the command stream to detect at least a first dependency; generating at least one timeline dependency point responsive to detecting the first dependency; determining a latest action for the first dependency to derive a completion stream timeline point for the first dependency; comparing the completion stream timeline point for the first dependency with a completion stream timeline point for a second dependency to determine a latest stream timeline point; generating at least one command stream synchronization control instruction according to the latest stream timeline point; and providing the command stream and the at least one command stream synchronization control instruction to an execution unit of the parallel processor.

Abstract: When generating a sequence of render outputs using a graphics processor, the completion status of rendering tasks for different render outputs is tracked so that processing tasks for later render outputs in the sequence of outputs can be processed concurrently with processing tasks for earlier render outputs in the sequence of outputs whilst ensuring that any dependencies between the rendering tasks are enforced.

Abstract: A method of operating a graphics processor that executes a graphics processing pipeline comprising a vertex shading stage is disclosed. A set of blocks of memory space that may be represented by a linked list is provided and memory space for storing vertex shaded attribute data generated by the vertex shading stage is allocated from one of the blocks of memory space in the set of blocks of memory space. When data stored in a block of memory space is no longer needed by the graphics processing pipeline, the block can be “recycled” for use by the pipeline.

Abstract: A data processing system is disclosed that includes one or more processors that can perform producer processes to produce work and consumer processes that can consume work produced by a producer process. The system includes a pool of plural communication resources that may be used for communications between a producer process and a consumer process. The system tracks the usage of communication resources of the pool of communication resources, and allocates a communication resource from the pool of communication resources based on the tracking.

Abstract: A method of operating a graphics processor that executes a graphics processing pipeline comprising a vertex shading stage is disclosed. A set of blocks of memory space that may be represented by a linked list is provided and memory space for storing vertex shaded attribute data generated by the vertex shading stage is allocated from one of the blocks of memory space in the set of blocks of memory space. When data stored in a block of memory space is no longer needed by the graphics processing pipeline, the block can be “recycled” for use by the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of operating a graphics processor that executes a graphics processing pipeline comprising a vertex shading stage is disclosed. A set of blocks of memory space that may be represented by a linked list is provided and memory space for storing vertex shaded attribute data generated by the vertex shading stage is allocated from one of the blocks of memory space in the set of blocks of memory space. When data stored in a block of memory space is no longer needed by the graphics processing pipeline, the block can be “recycled” for use by the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of operating a graphics processor that executes a graphics processing pipeline comprising a vertex shading stage is disclosed. A set of blocks of memory space that may be represented by a linked list is provided and memory space for storing vertex shaded attribute data generated by the vertex shading stage is allocated from one of the blocks of memory space in the set of blocks of memory space. When data stored in a block of memory space is no longer needed by the graphics processing pipeline, the block can be “recycled” for use by the pipeline.

Abstract: When executing a program on a data processor comprising an execution unit for executing instructions in a program to be executed by the data processor, the execution unit being associated with one or more hardware units operable to execute instructions, at least one instruction in a program is associated with an indication of whether the instruction should be issued directly for execution by a hardware unit or should be intercepted during its execution by the execution unit. The execution unit then, when decoding the instruction for execution by a hardware unit in the program, determines from the indication associated with the instruction whether the instruction should be issued directly for execution by a hardware unit or intercepted during its execution by the execution unit, and issues the instruction for execution by a hardware unit directly, or pauses execution of the instruction and performs another operation, accordingly.

Abstract: A method of controlling a data processor to perform data processing operations is disclosed in which a host processor prepares one or more queue(s) of operations for execution by the data processor. When an error is encountered in the processing of an operation for one of the one or more queue(s), a queue can be set into an error state in which instructions that may have a data dependency on another operation are not executed. The host processor includes in the queues error barrier instructions that divide the respective queues into sets of operations between which there are no data processing dependencies. An error state for a queue can thus be cleared when its processing reaches the next error barrier instruction in the queue.

Abstract: A data processing system in which a host processor prepares command streams for causing an accelerator of the data processing system to perform processing tasks for an application executing on the host processor, each command stream including a sequence of commands for implementation by the accelerator. When a request for processing includes protected content, the host processor includes within a command for a command stream, an indication that a subsequent sequence of one or more command(s) within that command stream associated with the protected content is to be implemented by the accelerator in a protected mode of operation. Then, when that command is executed, the accelerator initiates or requests a switch into the protected mode of operation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a data processor to perform data processing operations is disclosed in which a host processor prepares one or more queue(s) of operations for execution by the data processor. When an error is encountered in the processing of an operation for one of the one or more queue(s), a queue can be set into an error state in which instructions that may have a data dependency on another operation are not executed. The host processor includes in the queues error barrier instructions that divide the respective queues into sets of operations between which there are no data processing dependencies. An error state for a queue can thus be cleared when its processing reaches the next error barrier instruction in the queue.

Abstract: A data processing system in which a host processor prepares command streams for causing an accelerator of the data processing system to perform processing tasks for an application executing on the host processor, each command stream including a sequence of commands for implementation by a command stream execution unit of the accelerator. A pre-execution unit is provided that is operable to interpret commands fetched from command stream storage before the command is provided to the command stream execution unit for implementation to determine whether the pre-execution unit is able to perform an action in response to the command and, when the pre-execution unit is able to do so, to perform an action in response to the command.

Abstract: A data processing system in which a host processor prepares command streams for causing an accelerator of the data processing system to perform processing tasks for an application executing on the host processor, each command stream including a sequence of commands for implementation by a command stream execution unit of the accelerator. A pre-execution unit is provided that is operable to interpret commands fetched from command stream storage before the command is provided to the command stream execution unit for implementation to determine whether the pre-execution unit is able to perform an action in response to the command and, when the pre-execution unit is able to do so, to perform an action in response to the command.

Abstract: When executing a program on a data processor comprising an execution unit for executing instructions in a program to be executed by the data processor, the execution unit being associated with one or more hardware units operable to execute instructions, at least one instruction in a program is associated with an indication of whether the instruction should be issued directly for execution by a hardware unit or should be intercepted during its execution by the execution unit. The execution unit then, when decoding the instruction for execution by a hardware unit in the program, determines from the indication associated with the instruction whether the instruction should be issued directly for execution by a hardware unit or intercepted during its execution by the execution unit, and issues the instruction for execution by a hardware unit directly, or pauses execution of the instruction and performs another operation, accordingly.

Abstract: A data processing system in which a host processor prepares command streams for causing an accelerator of the data processing system to perform processing tasks for an application executing on the host processor, each command stream including a sequence of commands for implementation by the accelerator. When a request for processing includes protected content, the host processor includes within a command for a command stream, an indication that a subsequent sequence of one or more command(s) within that command stream associated with the protected content is to be implemented by the accelerator in a protected mode of operation. Then, when that command is executed, the accelerator initiates or requests a switch into the protected mode of operation.

Abstract: A seed firmer for pressing seeds into soil during planting. The seed firmer includes a mount for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. An arm defines a ground-facing surface having at least one point of contact with the ground, including a rearmost ground contact point with respect to a direction of forward travel during planting operation. The ground-facing surface has a transition section directly trailing a rearmost ground contact point, the transition section can extending upwardly from the rearmost ground contact point with a radius no less than 25 mm.

Abstract: A seed firmer for pressing seeds into soil during planting. The seed firmer includes a mount for attachment to a row unit of a planting machine. An arm defines a ground-facing surface having at least one point of contact with the ground, including a rearmost ground contact point with respect to a direction of forward travel during planting operation. The ground-facing surface has a transition section directly trailing a rearmost ground contact point, the transition section can extending upwardly from the rearmost ground contact point with a radius no less than 25 mm.

Abstract: A seeding machine includes a main frame and a row unit coupled to the main frame. The row unit has a row unit frame and a seed firmer coupled to the row unit frame. The seeding machine also includes a seed detection sensor coupled to the seed firmer. The seed detection sensor is configured to detect seed position within an open furrow.