Graphics processor with arithmetic and elementary function units
US8884972B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/3885
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A graphics processor capable of efficiently performing arithmetic operations and computing elementary functions is described. The graphics processor has at least one arithmetic logic unit (ALU) that can perform arithmetic operations and at least one elementary function unit that can compute elementary functions. The ALU(s) and elementary function unit(s) may be arranged such that they can operate in parallel to improve throughput. The graphics processor may also include fewer elementary function units than ALUs, e.g., four ALUs and a single elementary function unit. The four ALUs may perform an arithmetic operation on (1) four components of an attribute for one pixel or (2) one component of an attribute for four pixels. The single elementary function unit may operate on one component of one pixel at a time. The use of a single elementary function unit may reduce cost while still providing good performance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.