Data access tool for programmable graphics hardware

摘要

Methods and apparatuses for accessing data within programmable graphics hardware are provided. According to one aspect, a user inserts special log commands into a software program, which is compiled into instructions for the programmable graphics hardware to execute. The hardware writes data to an external memory during runtime according to a flow control protocol, and the software driver reads the data from the memory to display to the user.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
transferring, by a graphics processor unit (GPU), shader variable data to a memory buffer external to the GPU, wherein transferring the shader variable data comprises:
determining, by the GPU, a base address and a number of sleep cycles;counting, by the GPU, a number of vertices or pixels processed to derive an offset;deriving, by the GPU, a memory address based on the base address and said offset;checking, by the GPU, if an entry corresponding to said memory address has been read by a second, different processor unit;if the entry has been read by the second processor unit, writing, by the GPU, the shader variable data to said memory address; andif the entry has not been read by the second processor unit, waiting, by the GPU, said number of sleep cycles before performing said checking again.