Synchronized two-level graphics processing cache
US6825848B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/0862
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A synchronized two-level cache including a Level 1 cache and a Level 2 cache is implemented in a graphics processing system. The Level 2 cache is further partitioned into a number of slots which are dynamically allocated to texture maps as needed. The reference counter of each of the cache lines in each cache level is tracked so that a cache line is not overwritten with new data prior to transferring old data out to the recipient device. The age status of each cache line is tracked so that the oldest cache line is overwritten first. The use of synchronized two-level cache system conserves system memory bandwidth and reduces memory latency, thereby improving the graphics processing system's performance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.