Thomson EF936x
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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[]
- Thomson EF934x
- Thomson TO8
- Thomson TO9
- Thomson TO9+
- NDR-Klein-Computer
- Commodore PET
- List of home computers by video hardware
References[]
- ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=105
- ^ "IC Master". Hearst Business Communications. February 21, 1990 – via Google Books.
- ^ 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
- ^ Purcaru, Bogdan Ion (March 13, 2014). "Games vs. Hardware. The History of PC video games: The 80's". Purcaru Ion Bogdan – via Google Books.
- ^ http://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf
- ^ "IC Master". Hearst Business Communications. February 21, 1990 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c http://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=10
- ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=138
- ^ "West Europe Report: Science and Technology" (PDF). Foreign Broadcast Information Service. August 23, 1983. p. 7. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ http://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=250
- ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=232
- ^ https://www.bitsavers.org/components/stMicroelectronics/_dataBooks/Graphic_Processors_Data_Book_Mar89.pdf#page=132
External links[]
- Graphics chips
- Thomson computers
- Computer hardware stubs