AGP System Architecture [Paperback]

Dave Dzatko (Author), Tom Shanley (Author)

Book Description

Series: PC System Architecture Series | Publication Date: December 11, 1998

Second Edition now available! The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) interface is a new platform bus specification that enables high performance graphics capabilities-especially 3-D and video-over networks and on individual PCs. Platform independent, AGP is supported by numerous hardware and software vendors, and is now standard on Pentium II computers. Software and hardware engineers working with graphics must have a good understanding of this important technology. AGP System Architecture provides an overview of the technology, a detailed description of the specification, and a practical tutorial for mastering AGP. Comprehensive and concise, it presents all the information you need to understand and utilize this proliferating technology. In particular, this book focuses on 3-D graphics and video-related issues-the applications most served by AGP. You will find coverage of the following essential topics. *AGP advantages over PCI graphics for rendering 3-D images *AGP signaling requirements, including electrical AC and DC specifications and AGP driver and receiver characteristics *Signals for AGP-compliant masters and targets *AGP arbitration, with a look at optimization of grant pipelining *AGP transaction requests and ordering rules *AGP and Fast Write transactions in the 1X, 2X, and 4X data transfer modes *AGP hardware environment, including add-in cards, connectors, and the motherboard *AGP-specific configuration registers This indispensable resource will enable you to utilize AGP tools, design a high quality AGP device and support AGP in software applications. The PC System Architecture Series is a crisply written and comprehensive set of guides to the most important PC hardware standards. Each title is designed to illustrate the relationship between the software and hardware, and thoroughly explains the architecture, features, and operation of systems built using one particular type of chip or hardware specification. 0201379643B04062001

Editorial Reviews

Review

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It is refreshing that nowadays such excellent guides to the jungle of PC architecture are available for hardware and software engineers. This is one of those rare instances where even the cover blurbs back and front are dry and accurate. AGP System Architecture and others of this series are impressive as time-valued rush-to-press technical publishing of the first caliber. The authors, editors, and publisher have not skimped on the printing and production value, nor on the wealth of diagrams, nor on profound discussion of issues, nor even, apparently, on technical review procedures prior to publication. --Jack Woehr, Dr. Dobb's Electronic Review of Computer Books -- Dr. Dobb's Electronic Review of Computer Books

From the Inside Flap

About This Book The MindShare Architecture Series

The MindShare Architecture book series includes: ISA System Architecture, EISA System Architecture, 80486 System Architecture, PCI System Architecture, Pentium System Architecture, PCMCIA System Architecture, PowerPC System Architecture, Plug-and-Play System Architecture, CardBus System Architecture, Protected Mode Software Architecture, Pentium Pro and Pentium II System Architecture, USB System Architecture, FireWire System Architecture and AGP System Architecture. The book series is published by Addison-Wesley. Rather than duplicating common information in each book, the series uses the building-block approach. ISA System Architecture is the core book upon which the others build. Cautionary Note

The reader should keep in mind that MindShare's book series often deals with rapidly-evolving technologies. This being the case, it should be recognized that the book is a "snapshot" of the state of the targeted technology at the time that the book was completed. We attempt to update each book on a timely basis to reflect changes in the targeted technology, but, due to various factors (waiting for the next version of the spec to be "frozen," the time necessary to make the changes, and the time to produce the books and get them out to the distribution channels), there will always be a delay. Organization of This Book

The book is organized as follows:

Chapter 1: describes some of the motivating factors for the creation of the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). Some of the limitations of PCI graphics are discussed in the context of rendering a 3-D image.

Chapter 2: introduces AGP with a description of the major features and a discussion of some of the fundamental system requirements to support the interface. A basic overview of AGP technology can be gained from this chapter.

Chapter 3: outlines the major signaling requirements of the AGP interface. The electrical AC and DC specifications are described. AGP driver and receiver characteristics are presented.

Chapter 4: defines the required and optional signals for AGP-compliant masters and targets. The signals are grouped by function and the purpose of each signal is described.

Chapter 5: focuses on the arbiter's role within the AGP interface. Optimization of grant pipelining is also discussed.

Chapter 6: defines all of the AGP commands, or transaction request types, that can be issued on the AGP bus. The rules associated with the ordering of these transactions by the core logic are explained through the use of examples.

Chapter 7: AGP transactions are broken into two distinct bus operations: the issuance of the transaction request by the AGP graphics accelerator (referred to as the AGP master), and the matching data transaction that is initiated later in time by the core logic (referred to as the AGP target). This chapter provides a detailed description of the issuance of transaction requests using the AD and C/BE busses, as well as the SBA port.

Chapter 8: There are two categories of transactions that can be performed on the AGP bus: AGP transactions and PCI transactions. This chapter explores the differences between the two.

Chapter 9: provides a detailed description of AGP data transactions in 1X, 2X, and 4X data transfer modes.

Chapter 10: provides a detailed description of Fast Write transactions in the 1X, 2X, and 4X data transfer modes.

Chapter 11: describes issues related to add-in cards, connectors, and the motherboard.

Chapter 12: describes the responsibilities of the software required for initializing and configuring AGP devices. The AGP-specific configuration registers used in the configuration process are described. Who This Book Is For

This book is intended for use by hardware and software design and support personnel. Due to the clear, concise explanatory methods used to describe each subject, personnel outside of the design field may also find the text useful. Prerequisite Knowledge

The reader should be familiar with PC and PCI System Architectures. MindShare's ISA System Architecture and PCI System Architecture books provide that foundation material. Documentation Conventions

This document contains conventions for numeric values as follows: Hexadecimal Notation

This section defines the typographical convention used throughout this book. Hex Notation All hex numbers are followed by an "h." Examples:
9A4Eh
0100h
Binary Notation

All binary numbers are followed by a "b." Examples:
0001 0101b
01b
Decimal Notation

Numbers without any suffix are decimal. When required for clarity, decimal numbers are followed by a "d." The following examples each represent a decimal number:
16
255
256d
128d
Bits versus Byte Notation

This book employs the standard notation for differentiating bits versus bytes. All abbreviations for "bits" use lower case. For example:
1.5Mb/s
2Mb

All references to "bytes" are specified in upper case. For example:
10MB/s
1KB
Identification of Bit Fields (logical groups of bits or signals)

All bit fields are designated in little-endian bit ordering:
X::Y,
where "X" is the most-significant bit and "Y" is the least-significant bit of the field. Visit Our Web Site

Our web site contains a listing of all of our courses and books. In addition, it contains errata for a number of the books, a hot link to our publisher's web site, and course outlines: mindshare. We Want Your Feedback

MindShare values your comments and suggestions. You can contact us via mail, phone, fax, or internet e-mail.
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Mailing Address:
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Richardson, Texas 75082 0201379643P04062001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley (C); 1st edition (December 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201379643
• ISBN-13: 978-0201379648
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,364,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to learn about PC hardware deeply, buy this book, November 3, 2000

By 

Gabriel Torres (Reno, NV, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AGP System Architecture (Paperback)

Following the same style of the other books of the System Architecture series, this book show deeply how the AGP bus works. Also, it shows the operation of 3D video boards and video conferencing, since those aplicattions need the use of the AGP bus. It is an indispensable book for all who wants to learn more about PC hardware.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn about AGP, PCI and 3D video cards, August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: AGP System Architecture (Paperback)

This is a must-have book about AGP bus. It also covers how 3D video and video conferencing work.

Gabriel Torres