Abstract: Methods and systems are described. A system includes a redundant shader pipe array that performs rendering calculations on data provided thereto and a shader pipe array that includes a plurality of shader pipes, each of which performs rendering calculations on data provided thereto. The system also includes a circuit that identifies a defective shader pipe of the plurality of shader pipes in the shader pipe array. In response to identifying the defective shader pipe, the circuit generates a signal. The system also includes a redundant shader switch. The redundant shader switch receives the generated signal, and, in response to receiving the generated signal, transfers the data for the defective shader pipe to the redundant shader pipe array.

Abstract: A processing device determines a memory layout for an executable comprising a plurality of functions and data, wherein the memory layout is determined based on one or more object files. The processing device updates the memory layout by inserting an unused memory region between a first function and a second function of the plurality of functions in the memory layout, wherein the first function and the second function have adjacent memory locations in the memory layout prior to insertion of the unused memory region. The processing device resolves references between the plurality of functions. The processing device then generates an executable comprising the plurality of functions and the data arranged in accordance with the memory layout, the executable having the resolved references.

Abstract: A microprocessor capable of running both x86 instruction set architecture (ISA) machine language programs and Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) ISA machine language programs. The microprocessor includes a mode indicator that indicates whether the microprocessor is currently fetching instructions of an x86 ISA or ARM ISA machine language program. The microprocessor also includes a plurality of model-specific registers (MSRs) that control aspects of the operation of the microprocessor. When the mode indicator indicates the microprocessor is currently fetching x86 ISA machine language program instructions, each of the plurality of MSRs is accessible via an x86 ISA RDMSR/WRMSR instruction that specifies an address of the MSR. When the mode indicator indicates the microprocessor is currently fetching ARM ISA machine language program instructions, each of the plurality of MSRs is accessible via an ARM ISA MRRC/MCRR instruction that specifies the address of the MSR.

Abstract: A Backing Store Buffer is interposed between a Physical Register File and the Backing Store in a stacked register file architecture. A Register Save Engine temporarily stores data from registers in the Physical Register File allocated to inactive procedures on-chip, freeing the registers to be re-allocated to new procedures. When the a procedures complete and returns control to a prior, inactive procedure, the Register Store Engine retrieves data associated with the inactive procedure from the Backing Store Buffer to registers in the Physical Register File, and the registers are re-allocated to the inactive procedure. The Register Save Engine saves data from the Backing Store Buffer to the Backing Store, incurring the significant performance degradation and power consumption required for off-chip RAM access, only when the Backing Store Buffer is full and more data must be saved from the Physical Register File.

Abstract: One or more Shadow Register Files (SRF) are interposed between a Physical Register File (PRF) and a Backing Store (BS) in a shadow register file system. The SRFs comprise dual-port registers connected serially in a chain of arbitrary depth from the PRF. A Register Save Engine has random access to one port of the registers in the final SRF in the chain, and saves/restores data between the final SRF and the BS, e.g., RAM. As PRF registers are deallocated from calling procedures for use by called procedures, data are serially shifted from multi-port registers in the PRF through successive corresponding dual-port registers in SRFs, and are serially shifted back toward the multi-port registers as the PRF registers are reallocated to calling procedures. Since no procedure can access more than the number of registers in the PRF, the effective size of the PRF is increased, using less costly dual-port registers.

Abstract: A host writes graphics commands and data to programmable registers through a command FIFO that is read by a graphics controller or BitBlt engine. Rather than write an address and a data value for each register programmed, the host writes one address, one index, and several data values. The address points to an index register. The index is a mapping index word with several multi-bit mapping fields. Each multi-bit mapping field in the index identifies a register to be programmed with one of the data values. Since N bits are used for each mapping field, the mapping field can select one register in a bank of 2N?1 registers. The registers in the bank can be programmed in any order, and registers can be skipped. Since only one index is stored in the command FIFO for programming several registers, less memory space and fewer bus cycles are required.