Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for performing multi-program general purpose shader kickoff

US8499305B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 15, 2010
Grant dateJul 30, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 13, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/485
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for thread group kickoff and thread synchronization are described. One method is directed to synchronizing a plurality of threads in a general purpose shader in a graphics processor. The method comprises determining an entry point for execution of the threads in the general purpose shader, performing a fork operation at the entry point, whereby the plurality of threads are dispatched, wherein the plurality of threads comprise a main thread and one or more sub-threads. The method further comprises performing a join operation whereby the plurality of threads are synchronized upon the main thread reaching a synchronization point. Upon completion of the join operation, a second fork operation is performed to resume parallel execution of the plurality of threads.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.