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+=======================
+Display Core Next (DCN)
+=======================
+
+To equip our readers with the basic knowledge of how AMD Display Core Next
+(DCN) works, we need to start with an overview of the hardware pipeline. Below
+you can see a picture that provides a DCN overview, keep in mind that this is a
+generic diagram, and we have variations per ASIC.
+
+.. kernel-figure:: dc_pipeline_overview.svg
+
+Based on this diagram, we can pass through each block and briefly describe
+them:
+
+* **Display Controller Hub (DCHUB)**: This is the gateway between the Scalable
+  Data Port (SDP) and DCN. This component has multiple features, such as memory
+  arbitration, rotation, and cursor manipulation.
+
+* **Display Pipe and Plane (DPP)**: This block provides pre-blend pixel
+  processing such as color space conversion, linearization of pixel data, tone
+  mapping, and gamut mapping.
+
+* **Multiple Pipe/Plane Combined (MPC)**: This component performs blending of
+  multiple planes, using global or per-pixel alpha.
+
+* **Output Pixel Processing (OPP)**: Process and format pixels to be sent to
+  the display.
+
+* **Output Pipe Timing Combiner (OPTC)**: It generates time output to combine
+  streams or divide capabilities. CRC values are generated in this block.
+
+* **Display Output (DIO)**: Codify the output to the display connected to our
+  GPU.
+
+* **Display Writeback (DWB)**: It provides the ability to write the output of
+  the display pipe back to memory as video frames.
+
+* **Multi-Media HUB (MMHUBBUB)**: Memory controller interface for DMCUB and DWB
+  (Note that DWB is not hooked yet).
+
+* **DCN Management Unit (DMU)**: It provides registers with access control and
+  interrupts the controller to the SOC host interrupt unit. This block includes
+  the Display Micro-Controller Unit - version B (DMCUB), which is handled via
+  firmware.
+
+* **DCN Clock Generator Block (DCCG)**: It provides the clocks and resets
+  for all of the display controller clock domains.
+
+* **Azalia (AZ)**: Audio engine.
+
+The above diagram is an architecture generalization of DCN, which means that
+every ASIC has variations around this base model. Notice that the display
+pipeline is connected to the Scalable Data Port (SDP) via DCHUB; you can see
+the SDP as the element from our Data Fabric that feeds the display pipe.
+
+Always approach the DCN architecture as something flexible that can be
+configured and reconfigured in multiple ways; in other words, each block can be
+setup or ignored accordingly with userspace demands. For example, if we
+want to drive an 8k@60Hz with a DSC enabled, our DCN may require 4 DPP and 2
+OPP. It is DC's responsibility to drive the best configuration for each
+specific scenario. Orchestrate all of these components together requires a
+sophisticated communication interface which is highlighted in the diagram by
+the edges that connect each block; from the chart, each connection between
+these blocks represents:
+
+1. Pixel data interface (red): Represents the pixel data flow;
+2. Global sync signals (green): It is a set of synchronization signals composed
+   by VStartup, VUpdate, and VReady;
+3. Config interface: Responsible to configure blocks;
+4. Sideband signals: All other signals that do not fit the previous one.
+
+These signals are essential and play an important role in DCN. Nevertheless,
+the Global Sync deserves an extra level of detail described in the next
+section.
+
+All of these components are represented by a data structure named dc_state.
+From DCHUB to MPC, we have a representation called dc_plane; from MPC to OPTC,
+we have dc_stream, and the output (DIO) is handled by dc_link. Keep in mind
+that HUBP accesses a surface using a specific format read from memory, and our
+dc_plane should work to convert all pixels in the plane to something that can
+be sent to the display via dc_stream and dc_link.
+
+Front End and Back End
+----------------------
+
+Display pipeline can be broken down into two components that are usually
+referred as **Front End (FE)** and **Back End (BE)**, where FE consists of:
+
+* DCHUB (Mainly referring to a subcomponent named HUBP)
+* DPP
+* MPC
+
+On the other hand, BE consist of
+
+* OPP
+* OPTC
+* DIO (DP/HDMI stream encoder and link encoder)
+
+OPP and OPTC are two joining blocks between FE and BE. On a side note, this is
+a one-to-one mapping of the link encoder to PHY, but we can configure the DCN
+to choose which link encoder to connect to which PHY. FE's main responsibility
+is to change, blend and compose pixel data, while BE's job is to frame a
+generic pixel stream to a specific display's pixel stream.
+
+Data Flow
+---------
+
+Initially, data is passed in from VRAM through Data Fabric (DF) in native pixel
+formats. Such data format stays through till HUBP in DCHUB, where HUBP unpacks
+different pixel formats and outputs them to DPP in uniform streams through 4
+channels (1 for alpha + 3 for colors).
+
+The Converter and Cursor (CNVC) in DPP would then normalize the data
+representation and convert them to a DCN specific floating-point format (i.e.,
+different from the IEEE floating-point format). In the process, CNVC also
+applies a degamma function to transform the data from non-linear to linear
+space to relax the floating-point calculations following. Data would stay in
+this floating-point format from DPP to OPP.
+
+Starting OPP, because color transformation and blending have been completed
+(i.e alpha can be dropped), and the end sinks do not require the precision and
+dynamic range that floating points provide (i.e. all displays are in integer
+depth format), bit-depth reduction/dithering would kick in. In OPP, we would
+also apply a regamma function to introduce the gamma removed earlier back.
+Eventually, we output data in integer format at DIO.
+
+Global Sync
+-----------
+
+Many DCN registers are double buffered, most importantly the surface address.
+This allows us to update DCN hardware atomically for page flips, as well as
+for most other updates that don't require enabling or disabling of new pipes.
+
+(Note: There are many scenarios when DC will decide to reserve extra pipes
+in order to support outputs that need a very high pixel clock, or for
+power saving purposes.)
+
+These atomic register updates are driven by global sync signals in DCN. In
+order to understand how atomic updates interact with DCN hardware, and how DCN
+signals page flip and vblank events it is helpful to understand how global sync
+is programmed.
+
+Global sync consists of three signals, VSTARTUP, VUPDATE, and VREADY. These are
+calculated by the Display Mode Library - DML (drivers/gpu/drm/amd/display/dc/dml)
+based on a large number of parameters and ensure our hardware is able to feed
+the DCN pipeline without underflows or hangs in any given system configuration.
+The global sync signals always happen during VBlank, are independent from the
+VSync signal, and do not overlap each other.
+
+VUPDATE is the only signal that is of interest to the rest of the driver stack
+or userspace clients as it signals the point at which hardware latches to
+atomically programmed (i.e. double buffered) registers. Even though it is
+independent of the VSync signal we use VUPDATE to signal the VSync event as it
+provides the best indication of how atomic commits and hardware interact.
+
+Since DCN hardware is double-buffered the DC driver is able to program the
+hardware at any point during the frame.
+
+The below picture illustrates the global sync signals:
+
+.. kernel-figure:: global_sync_vblank.svg
+
+These signals affect core DCN behavior. Programming them incorrectly will lead
+to a number of negative consequences, most of them quite catastrophic.
+
+The following picture shows how global sync allows for a mailbox style of
+updates, i.e. it allows for multiple re-configurations between VUpdate
+events where only the last configuration programmed before the VUpdate signal
+becomes effective.
+
+.. kernel-figure:: config_example.svg