Embedded 3D graphics is here, but 2D is still important: Here’s why
Reconfigurable Architecture
Iris has a reconfigurable architecture. All the blocks can be flexibly organized to create a pipeline according to the application needs. For example, the number and type of fetch units can be changed.
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The pixel data can either be stored in memory through the store unit or sent to the display using extdst. In between the two operations, the pipeline can have many different combinations of pixel-processing units. Two possible configurations are shown in Figure 5 above.
Summary
Implementing 2D graphics has traditionally required design engineers to pick between the pros and cons of raster verses vector based engines. The ideal solution would be an approach that balanced the best of both.
The Iris graphic engine does just that. This powerful 2D raster engine combines the best qualities of raster and vector architectures in a flexible manner.
Because of its raster architecture, the IP design and development cost is low. At the same time, its memory requirement is low because of the capability to support scaling and rotation functions, which typically have been a hallmark of vector engines.
The scalable engine can be used in either a 2D-only or a 2D/3D device that has an OpenGL-ES 2.0 type high-end graphics engine. Fujitsu's MB9EF126 “Calypso” graphics device is an example of an Iris 2D-only implementation. This single-chip SoC has an ARM Cortex R4 CPU. Iris allows Calypso to sport powerful 2D graphics while keeping the graphics memory footprint low.
The MB86R1x “Emerald” family is an example of a 2D/3D configuration. This SoC has an ARM Cortex-A9 CPU and OpenGL-ES 2.0 engine with a fully programmable shader. The presence of Iris in the system allows the 3D engine to focus fully on the 3D aspects of the graphics while Iris takes care of the 2D side, such as THE HMI components.
The result is that organizations can more quickly and cost-effectively meet the ever-increasing need for 2D and 3D graphics in embedded applications.
Waqar Saleem is a senior applications engineer with Fujitsu Semiconductor America, based in Detroit, Michigan. He has more than a dozen years of design and applications experience with Fujitsu Semiconductor, and holds engineering degrees from San Jose State Univ. and the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan.
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