Method and system for dynamic texture replication on a distributed memory graphics architecture

Abstract

In a graphics subsystem of a computer system, a method for adjustable texture replication. The method is implemented within the graphics subsystem of the computer system. The method includes the step of configuring a plurality of raster engines into a first cluster and a second cluster. The raster engines of the first cluster and the raster engines of the second cluster are each communicatively coupled to respective texture memories. A first texture image copy is stored among the texture memories of the first cluster such that each respective texture memory stores a respective portion of the first texture image copy. A second texture image copy is stored among the texture memories of the second cluster such that each respective texture memory stores a respective portion of the second texture image copy. A parallel texture mapping process is performed on a surface using the first cluster and the second cluster. The first cluster texture maps the first texture image copy, wherein the plurality of raster engines of the first cluster share access to the each respective texture memory storing the first texture image copy. The second cluster texture maps the second texture image copy, wherein the plurality of raster engines of the second cluster share access to each respective memory storing the second image copy. The number of clusters, and the number of raster engines within the clusters, is adjustable to implement variable texture replication.