Apparatus and method for merging pixels

A pixel merge apparatus and method has been implemented. Included is a configurable graphics device, which may serve as a standalone graphics engine, or as a master or slave in a master/slave configuration. In stand alone mode, the mechanism drives a display device with native pixel data. A device configured in master mode is operable for receiving pixel data from a corresponding slave device, and merging the slave pixel data with native pixel data generated by a rasterizer within the ASIC. Data is communicated between slave and master using a digital data link which may also serve to drive a flat panel display in standalone mode. A FIFO, active in the master, mediates the transfer of the slave pixel data and permits switching between native and slave pixel data with signal pixel resolution. Pixel data may be merged on a frame-by-frame basis, or in split frame mode wherein a first portion of the graphic shown on a display device constitutes native pixels generated in the rasterizer corresponding to the master device, and a second portion of the displayed graphic includes pixels generated by the rasterizer in the slave device.