EGLStream

EGLStream is a high-performance, hardware-accelerated, cross-API graphics stream abstraction layer developed by NVIDIA. It is designed to facilitate efficient data transfer between different graphics APIs and between CPU and GPU, particularly in embedded systems and automotive applications. EGLStream provides a producer-consumer model, where one component produces frames and another consumes them, allowing for seamless and low-latency rendering and processing pipelines.

The core functionality of EGLStream lies in its ability to manage and synchronize buffer sharing between various sources and sinks. This includes interactions between different graphics APIs like OpenGL, Vulkan, and CUDA, as well as inter-process communication. This enables developers to build complex graphical applications where rendering can be distributed across multiple processes or even utilize different hardware accelerators for specific tasks.

Key features of EGLStream include its support for hardware overlays, direct scanout capabilities, and low-latency buffer management. These features are crucial for applications such as digital instrument clusters, infotainment systems, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) where real-time performance and visual fidelity are paramount. EGLStream also offers mechanisms for handling different buffer formats and color spaces, further enhancing its flexibility.

By abstracting away the complexities of hardware-specific buffer management and synchronization, EGLStream simplifies the development of sophisticated graphics pipelines. It allows for the creation of efficient and responsive visual experiences by minimizing data copying and overhead, making it a valuable tool for modern embedded graphics development.