Function-microcomputers for computer graphics

Abstract

A wide range of microprocessor, memory and interface circuits with ever improving specifications and decreasing prices permits us to build efficient and inexpensive microcomputers. These devices are therefore particularly suited as special-purpose modules in many areas of data processing. This report offers a design for a net of closely coupled special-purpose microcomputers in computer graphics. This system performs utility functions for device-independent and terminal dependent graphics. It also serves to emulate certain higher-level functions for output and input handling. Because speed requirements differ greatly, both MOS and bit-slice microprocessors can be applied. Applying dynamically microprogrammable processors will permit run-time changes in the function repertoire. This facility is used for emulation and high-level graphics instructions at the microcode level.