News Overview
- Intel’s Ultra Low Latency Submission (ULLS) Direct Submission feature is being implemented in the Linux graphics driver (i915) for Lunar Lake processors.
- This feature aims to reduce latency for applications that require immediate rendering, such as VR and cloud gaming, by bypassing certain buffers and directly submitting frames to the display.
- Initial merge request highlights the changes needed for this direct submission path.
🔗 Original article link: Intel ULLS Direct Submit Landing in Lunar
In-Depth Analysis
The key focus of this news is on Intel’s development of ULLS Direct Submission within their i915 Linux graphics driver. Here’s a breakdown:
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Ultra Low Latency Submission (ULLS): ULLS is a general concept aimed at minimizing the time it takes for a frame to be rendered and displayed. This is crucial for applications where responsiveness is paramount. Lower latency translates to a more immersive and less jarring experience.
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Direct Submission: Traditionally, rendered frames might go through multiple buffers or queues before being sent to the display. Direct submission bypasses some of these intermediate steps. Instead of buffering data in intermediary buffers, the rendering results are submitted directly to the display engine, shortening the path. This reduction in the path directly impacts overall latency.
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Lunar Lake Implementation: The article specifies that the initial implementation is targeting Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake processors. This suggests that the hardware architecture of Lunar Lake includes specific features or optimizations that enable efficient direct submission. It also suggests that this optimization is a key feature for the overall market positioning of these chips.
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i915 Driver Changes: The article mentions the “merge request” in the i915 driver. This refers to the code changes being submitted to the Linux kernel’s graphics driver. These changes contain the necessary logic and hooks to enable the direct submission path. It indicates the integration of the ULLS feature into the existing Intel graphics stack.
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Targeted Applications: The article explicitly mentions VR (Virtual Reality) and cloud gaming as key use cases for ULLS. Both of these application types are highly sensitive to latency. Any delay between user input and visual feedback can lead to motion sickness or a poor user experience. This highlights the focus on a specific market for Intel with Lunar Lake’s GPU.
Commentary
The implementation of ULLS Direct Submission in Lunar Lake is a positive sign for Intel’s commitment to improving graphics performance, especially in latency-sensitive applications. By focusing on reducing latency, Intel is directly targeting a critical area for VR and cloud gaming. This approach could make Intel more competitive in these growing markets.
However, there are also potential considerations. Direct submission might introduce complexities in handling screen tearing or frame pacing. Also, power consumption needs to be handled carefully, since directly submitting frames might require more resources at times. The effectiveness of ULLS will depend on how well the driver is optimized and how the hardware supports the feature. Furthermore, we need to see benchmarks in real-world applications to assess the true benefits of ULLS.
It’s also worth noting that other GPU vendors are actively working on similar latency reduction techniques. The success of Intel’s approach will depend on how it compares to competing solutions.