Abstract: Techniques are described for processing computerized images with a graphics processing unit (GPU) using a unified vertex cache and shader register file. The techniques include creating a shared shader coupled to the GPU pipeline and a unified vertex cache and shader register file coupled to the shared shader to substantially eliminate data movement within the GPU pipeline. The GPU pipeline sends image geometry information based on an image geometry for an image to the shared shader. The shared shader performs vertex shading to generate vertex coordinates and attributes of vertices in the image. The shared shader then stores the vertex attributes in the unified vertex cache and shader register file, and sends only the vertex coordinates of the vertices back to the GPU pipeline. The GPU pipeline processes the image based on the vertex coordinates, and the shared shader processes the image based on the vertex attributes.

Abstract: A computer addressing mode and memory access method rely on a memory segment identifier and a memory segment mask for indicating memory locations. In this addressing mode, a processor receives an instruction comprising the memory segment identifier and memory segment mask. The processor employs a two-level address decoding scheme to access individual memory locations. Under this decoding scheme, the processor decodes the memory segment identifier to select a particular memory segment. Each memory segment includes a predefined number of memory locations. The processor selects memory locations within the memory segment based on mask bits set in the memory segment mask. The disclosed addressing mode is advantageous because it allows non-consecutive memory locations to be efficiently accessed.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins that bind specifically to the envelope glycoprotein of H5 subtypes of avian influenza virus (“AIV”). The monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins are useful for the detection of H5 subtypes of AIV, including the pathogenic H5N1 subtypes. Virus may be detected in formalin preserved, paraffin embeded specimens as well as frozen specimens and biological fluids. Accordingly, the invention provides means for the diagnosis and surveillance of dangerous viral infections.

Abstract: Techniques are described for processing graphics images with a graphics processing unit (GPU) using deferred vertex shading. An example method includes the following: generating, within a processing pipeline of a graphics processing unit (GPU), vertex coordinates for vertices of each primitive within an image geometry, wherein the vertex coordinates comprise a location and a perspective parameter for each one of the vertices, and wherein the image geometry represents a graphics image; identifying, within the processing pipeline of the GPU, visible primitives within the image geometry based upon the vertex coordinates; and, responsive to identifying the visible primitives, generating, within the processing pipeline of the GPU, vertex attributes only for the vertices of the visible primitives in order to determine surface properties of the graphics image.

Abstract: Techniques to efficiently handle relative addressing are described. In one design, a processor includes an address generator and a storage unit. The address generator receives a relative address comprised of a base address and an offset, obtains a base value for the base address, sums the base value with the offset, and provides an absolute address corresponding to the relative address. The storage unit receives the base address and provides the base value to the address generator. The storage unit also receives the absolute address and provides data at this address. The address generator may derive the absolute address in a first clock cycle of a memory access. The storage unit may provide the data in a second clock cycle of the memory access. The storage unit may have multiple (e.g., two) read ports to support concurrent address generation and data retrieval.

Abstract: A device includes a multimedia processor that can concurrently support multiple applications for various types of multimedia such as graphics, audio, video, camera, games, etc. The multimedia processor includes configurable storage resources to store instructions, data, and state information for the applications and assignable processing units to perform various types of processing for the applications. The configurable storage resources may include an instruction cache to store instructions for the applications, register banks to store data for the applications, context registers to store state information for threads of the applications, etc. The processing units may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) core, an elementary function core, a logic core, a texture sampler, a load control unit, a flow controller, etc.

Abstract: A memory includes multiple interface ports. The memory also includes at least two sub-arrays each having an instance of all of the bit lines of the memory and a portion of the word lines of the memory. The memory has a common decoder coupled to the sub-arrays and configured to control each of the word lines. The memory also includes multiplexers coupled to each of the interface ports. The multiplexers are configured to cause the selection of one of the sub-arrays based upon an address of a memory cell received at one or more of the interface ports.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a programmable streaming processor that is capable of executing mixed-precision (e.g., full-precision, half-precision) instructions using different execution units. The various execution units are each capable of using graphics data to execute instructions at a particular precision level. An exemplary programmable shader processor includes a controller and multiple execution units. The controller is configured to receive an instruction for execution and to receive an indication of a data precision for execution of the instruction. The controller is also configured to receive a separate conversion instruction that, when executed, converts graphics data associated with the instruction to the indicated data precision. When operable, the controller selects one of the execution units based on the indicated data precision.

Abstract: A multi-stage floating-point accumulator includes at least two stages and is capable of operating at higher speed. In one design, the floating-point accumulator includes first and second stages. The first stage includes three operand alignment units, two multiplexers, and three latches. The three operand alignment units operate on a current floating-point value, a prior floating-point value, and a prior accumulated value. A first multiplexer provides zero or the prior floating-point value to the second operand alignment unit. A second multiplexer provides zero or the prior accumulated value to the third operand alignment unit. The three latches couple to the three operand alignment units. The second stage includes a 3-operand adder to sum the operands generated by the three operand alignment units, a latch, and a post alignment unit.

Abstract: A server is disclosed that includes an interface to a data communication network, a compiler library that stores a plurality of different compilers, and compiler selection logic responsive to data received at the interface and including logic. The compiler selection logic is configured to select one of the plurality of different compilers based on an evaluation of the received data. The selected compiler generates compiled output data and the compiled output data is communicated over the data communication network to a client.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is power controller for use with a graphics processing unit. The power controller monitors, manages and controls power supplied to components of a pipeline of the graphics processing unit. The power controller determining whether and to what extent power is to be supplied to a pipeline component based on status information received by the power controller in connection with the pipeline component. The power controller is capable of identifying a trend using the received status information, and determining whether and to what extent power is to be supplied to a pipeline component based on the identified trend.

Abstract: Configuration information is used to make a determination to bypass fragment shading by a shader unit of a graphics processing unit, the shader unit capable of performing both vertex shading and fragment shader. Based on the determination, the shader unit performs vertex shading and bypasses fragment shading. A processing element other than the shader unit, such as a pixel blender, can be used to perform some fragment shading. Power is managed to “turn off” power to unused components in a case that fragment shading is bypassed. For example, power can be turned off to a number of arithmetic logic units, the shader unit using the reduced number of arithmetic logic unit to perform vertex shading. At least one register bank of the shader unit can be used as a FIFO buffer storing pixel attribute data for use, with texture data, to fragment shading operations by another processing element.

Abstract: A wireless device which performs a first-level compiler packing process and a second-level hardware packing process on varyings. The compiler packing process packs two or more shader variables (varyings or attributes) whose sum of components equals M into a shared M-dimensional (MD) vector register. The hardware packing consecutively packs M components of the shader variables (varyings or attributes) and any remaining variables into a vertex cache or other storage medium.

Abstract: A computer addressing mode and memory access method rely on a memory segment identifier and a memory segment mask for indicating memory locations. In this addressing mode, a processor receives an instruction comprising the memory segment identifier and memory segment mask. The processor employs a two-level address decoding scheme to access individual memory locations. Under this decoding scheme, the processor decodes the memory segment identifier to select a particular memory segment. Each memory segment includes a predefined number of memory locations. The processor selects memory locations within the memory segment based on mask bits set in the memory segment mask. The disclosed addressing mode is advantageous because it allows non-consecutive memory locations to be efficiently accessed.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for performing graphics operations using programmable processing units in a graphics processing unit (GPU). As described herein, a GPU includes a graphics pipeline that includes a programmable graphics processing element (PGPE). In accordance with the techniques described herein, an arbitrary set of instructions is loaded into the PGPE. Subsequently, the PGPE may execute the set of instructions in order to generate a new pixel object. A pixel object describes a displayable pixel. The new pixel object may represent a result of performing a graphics operation on a first pixel object. A display device may display a pixel described by the new pixel object.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques of loading batch commands into a graphics processing unit (GPU). As described herein, a GPU driver for the GPU identifies one or more graphics processing objects to be used by the GPU in order to render a batch of graphics primitives. The GPU driver may insert indexes associated with the identified graphics processing objects into a batch command. The GPU driver may then issue the batch command to the GPU. The GPU may use the indexes in the batch command to retrieve the graphics processing objects from memory. After retrieving the graphics processing objects from memory, the GPU may use the graphics processing objects to render the batch of graphics primitives.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an adaptive multi-shader within a processor that uses one or more high-precision arithmetic logic units (ALUs) and low-precision ALUs to process data based on the type of the data. Upon receiving a stream of data, the adaptive multi-shader first determines the type of the data. For example, the adaptive multi-shader may determine whether the data is suitable for high-precision processing or low-precision processing. The adaptive multi-shader then processes the data using the high-precision ALUs when the data is suitable for high-precision processing, and processes the data using the high-precision ALUs and the low-precision ALUs when the data is suitable for low-precision processing. The adaptive multi-shader may substantially reduce power consumption and silicon size of the processor by implementing the low-precision ALUs while maintaining the ability to process data using high-precision processing by implementing the high-precision ALUs.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting both 2-D and 3-D graphics are described. A graphics processing unit (GPU) may perform 3-D graphics processing in accordance with a 3-D graphics pipeline to render 3-D images and may also perform 2-D graphics processing in accordance with a 2-D graphics pipeline to render 2-D images. Each stage of the 2-D graphics pipeline may be mapped to at least one stage of the 3-D graphics pipeline. For example, a clipping, masking and scissoring stage in 2-D graphics may be mapped to a depth test stage in 3-D graphics. Coverage values for pixels within paths in 2-D graphics may be determined using rasterization and depth test stages in 3-D graphics. A paint generation stage and an image interpolation stage in 2-D graphics may be mapped to a fragment shader stage in 3-D graphics. A blending stage in 2-D graphics may be mapped to a blending stage in 3-D graphics.

Abstract: A device includes a multimedia processor that can concurrently support multiple applications for various types of multimedia such as graphics, audio, video, camera, games, etc. The multimedia processor includes configurable storage resources to store instructions, data, and state information for the applications and assignable processing units to perform various types of processing for the applications. The configurable storage resources may include an instruction cache to store instructions for the applications, register banks to store data for the applications, context registers to store state information for threads of the applications, etc. The processing units may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) core, an elementary function core, a logic core, a texture sampler, a load control unit, a flow controller, etc.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing blending equations for various blending modes with a base set of operations are described. Each blending equation may be decomposed into a sequence of operations. In one design, a device includes a processing unit that implements a set of operations for multiple blending modes and a storage unit that stores operands and results. The processing unit receives a sequence of instructions for a sequence of operations for a blending mode selected from the plurality of blending modes and executes each instruction in the sequence to perform blending in accordance with the selected blending mode. The processing unit may include (a) an ALU that performs at least one operation in the base set, e.g., a dot product, (b) a pre-formatting unit that performs gamma correction and alpha scaling of inbound color values, and (c) a post-formatting unit that performs gamma compression and alpha scaling of outbound color values.