Facilitating Efficient Switching Between Graphics-Processing Units

摘要

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.

主权项

1. A method for switching from using a first graphics-processing unit (GPU) to using a second GPU to drive a display, comprising:
using software executing in a foreground on a central processing unit (CPU) to perform operations associated with servicing user activity; receiving a request to switch from using the first GPU to using the second GPU as a signal source for driving the display; while continuing use of the foreground executing software to continue performing operations associated with servicing the user activity, using software executing in a background on the CPU to configure hardware of the second GPU in preparation for driving the display in response to the request; receiving a notification related to a status of the hardware configuration of the second GPU; in response to the notification, configuring software of the second GPU while continuing use of the foreground executing software to continue performing operations associated with servicing the user activity; and switching a signal source driving the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.