Thomson EF936x

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NDR-Klein-Computer graphics card using EF9366
Siemens SMP-E353 ECB Bus video board using EF9366

The Thomson EF936x series is a type of Graphic Display Processor (GDP)[1]. The chip could draw at 1 million pixels per second, which was relatively advanced for the time of its release (1982 or earlier). There are various versions of the chip (EF9364, EF9365, etc.)[2], with slightly diferent capabilities.

It was used on computers such as the Thomson TO8, Thomson TO9 and Thomson TO9+ (EF9369). The EF9366 was also used on the Siemens Screen Control SMP-E353 (ECB bus) and on the NDR-Klein-Computer.

Commodore released a "High Resolution Graphics" board for the PET based on this chip, allowing it to display 512x512 resolution graphics[3][4].

Versions[]

Based on the 1989 data book published by the company, the EF936x series was split into Graphics Controllers and Color Palette models.[5]

Graphics Controllers

  • EF9364[6]
  • EF9365 512×512 (interlaced), 256×256, 128×128, 64×64; 50Hz[7]
  • EF9366 512×256 (noninterlaced); 50/60Hz[7]
  • EF9367 1024×512 (interlaced), 1024x416 (interlaced); 50/60Hz [7][8]
    • Thomson-EFCIS marketed a competing part, the EF 9367, that offered different features for the French market (which used a different video format).[9]
  • SFF96364

Color Palette

  • EF9369 - 4-bit DACs (16 out of 4096 colors), generated gamma corrected (gamma 2.8) voltages.[10]
  • TS9370 - 4-bit DACs (16 out of 4096 colors)[11]

Capabilities[]

  • Integrated DRAM controller
  • Linedrawing, with delta-x and delta-y limited to 255 each. Support for solid, dotted, dashed and dotted/dashed lines.
  • Built-in 5×8 pixel ASCII font[12]. Support for rendering tilted characters, and scaling by integer factors (no antialiasing)
  • Clear screen
  • Light Pen support

The GPUs did not support direct access to the graphics memory, although a special command was provided to aid in implementing access to individual memory words.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=105
  2. ^ "IC Master". Hearst Business Communications. February 21, 1990 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20110911232829/http://www.cbmhardware.de/cbmwiki/index.php/PET-Grafikkarte_Commodore_ASSY_No._324402-01_f%C3%BCr_CBM_8296
  4. ^ Purcaru, Bogdan Ion (March 13, 2014). "Games vs. Hardware. The History of PC video games: The 80's". Purcaru Ion Bogdan – via Google Books.
  5. ^ http://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf
  6. ^ "IC Master". Hearst Business Communications. February 21, 1990 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b c http://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=10
  8. ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=138
  9. ^ "West Europe Report: Science and Technology" (PDF). Foreign Broadcast Information Service. August 23, 1983. p. 7. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  10. ^ http://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=250
  11. ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=232
  12. ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=132

External links[]


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