-The High Precision Event Timer (HPET) hardware is the future replacement
-for the 8254 and Real Time Clock (RTC) periodic timer functionality.
-Each HPET can have up to 32 timers. It is possible to configure the
-first two timers as legacy replacements for 8254 and RTC periodic timers.
-A specification done by Intel and Microsoft can be found at
-<http://www.intel.com/technology/architecture/hpetspec.htm>.
+The High Precision Event Timer (HPET) hardware follows a specification
+by Intel and Microsoft which can be found at
+
+ http://www.intel.com/technology/architecture/hpetspec.htm
+
+Each HPET has one fixed-rate counter (at 10+ MHz, hence "High Precision")
+and up to 32 comparators. Normally three or more comparators are provided,
+each of which can generate oneshot interupts and at least one of which has
+additional hardware to support periodic interrupts. The comparators are
+also called "timers", which can be misleading since usually timers are
+independent of each other ... these share a counter, complicating resets.
+
+HPET devices can support two interrupt routing modes. In one mode, the
+comparators are additional interrupt sources with no particular system
+role. Many x86 BIOS writers don't route HPET interrupts at all, which
+prevents use of that mode. They support the other "legacy replacement"
+mode where the first two comparators block interrupts from 8254 timers
+and from the RTC.