Graphics Databook

First Edition 1989
INMOS document number: 72-TRN-204-00
139 Pages

Preface

Graphics processing is a significant area of application for INMOS devices. The INMOS Graphics Databook has been published in response to the growing interest and requests for information concerning INMOS graphics devices.

The databook comprises an overview, engineering data and applications information for the INMOS IMS G171, G176 and G178 Colour Look-Up Tables (CLUTs), and the INMOS IMS G300 Colour Video Controller (CVC).

The INMOS family of colour look-up tables provide the analogue output stages for colour graphic systems. The device consists of a high-speed random access store or look-up table, three DACs, a pixel word mask and a microprocessor interface.

The INMOS G300 colour video controller provides all necessary functions for controlling real time operation of a raster scan video system, using dual ported DRAMs. The design enables the host processor to be isolated from the constraints of the real time system without interfering with the ability of the processor to specify and manipulate screen data. The device integrates all video timing and control circuitry, bit map to screen refresh management, colour expansion look-up table and data conversion/monitor drivers into a single chip.

In addition to graphics devices, the INMOS product range also includes transputer products, digital signal processing devices and fast SRAMs. For further information concerning INMOS products please contact your local INMOS sales outlet.

Contents

1	INMOS
	1.1	Introduction
	1.2	Manufacturing
			Assembly
			Test
	1.3	Quality and Reliability
	1.4	Future Developments
		1.4.1	Research and Development
		1.4.2	Process Developments

2	Graphics overview
	2.1	The advancing graphics market
	2.2	CLUTs and colour representation
	2.3	The INMOS CLUT history
	2.4	Graphics controllers and drawing processors
	2.5	Computer displays
	2.6	INMOS and future directions for graphics products

3	IMS G171 high performance CMOS colour look-up table
	3.1	Pin designations
		3.1.1	Pixel interface
		3.1.2	Analogue interface
		3.1.3	Microprocessor interlace
		3.1.4	Power supply
		3.1.5	Internal registers
	3.2	Device description
		3.2.1	Video path
		3.2.2	Analogue outputs
		3.2.3	Microprocessor interface
			Writing to the look-up table
			Reading from the look-up table
			Asynchronous look-up table access
			The Pixel Mask register
	3.3	Electrical specifications
		3.3.1	Absolute maximum ratings
		3.3.2	DC operating conditions
		3.3.3	DAC characteristics
		3.3.4	AC test conditions
		3.3.5	Capacitance
		3.3.6	Video operation
		3.3.7	Microprocessor interface operation
	3.4	Designing with the IMS G171
		3.4.1	Board layout - general
		3.4.2	Power supply decoupling
		3.4.3	Analogue output - line driving
		3.4.4	Analogue output - protection
		3.4.5	Digital input termination
		3.4.6	Current reference - design
		3.4.7	Current reference - decoupling
		3.4.8	Pixel Mask register synchronisation
	3.5	Package specifications
		3.5.1	28 pin dual-in-line package
		3.5.2	Ordering information

4	IMS G176 high performance CMOS colour look-up table
	4.1	Pin designations
		4.1.1	Pixel interface
		4.1.2	Analogue interface
		4.1.3	Microprocessor Interface
		4.1.4	Power supply
		4.1.5	Internal registers
	4.2	Device description
		4.2.1	Video path
		4.2.2	Analogue outputs
		4.2.3	Microprocessor Interface
			Writing to the look-up table
			Reading from the look-up table
			Asynchronous microprocessor interface access
			The Pixel Mask register
	4.3 Electrical specifications
		4.3.1	Absolute maximum ratings
		4.3.2	DC operating conditions
		4.3.3	DAC characteristics
		4.3.4	AC test conditions
		4.3.5	Capacitance
		4.3.6	Video operation
		4.3.7	Microprocessor interface operation
	4.4	Designing with the IMS G176
		4.4.1	Board layout - general
		4.4.2	Power supply decoupling
		4.4.3	Analogue output - line driving
		4.4.4	Analogue output - protection
		4.4.5	Digital input termination
		4.4.6	Current reference - design
		4.4.7	Current reference - decoupling
	4.5	Package specifications
		4.5.1	28 pin dual-in-line package
		4.5.2	32 pin plastic leaded-chip-carrier package
		4.5.3	Ordering information

5	IMS G178 high performance CMOS colour look-up table
	5.1	Pin designations
		5.1.1	Pixel interface
		5.1.2	Analogue interface
		5.1.3	Microprocessor interface
		5.1.4	Power supply
		5.1.5	Internal registers
	5.2	Device description
		5.2.1	Video path
		5.2.2	Analogue outputs
		5.2.3	Microprocessor interface
			Writing	to the look-up table
			Reading	from the look-up table
			Asynchronous microprocessor interface access
			The Pixel Mask register
	5.3	Electrical specifications
		5.3.1	Absolute maximum ratings
		5.3.2	DC operating conditions
		5.3.3	DAC characteristics
		5.3.4	AC test conditions
		5.3.5	Capacitance
		5.3.6	Video operation
		5.3.7	Microprocessor interface operation
	5.4	Designing with the IMS G178
		5.4.1	Board layout - general
		5.4.2	Power supply decoupling
		5.4.3	Analogue output - line driving
		5.4.4	Analogue output - protection
		5.4.5	Digital input termination
		5.4.6	Current reference - design
		5.4.7	Current reference - decoupling
	5.5	Package specifications
		5.5.1	32 pin plastic leaded-chip-carrier package
		5.5.2	Ordering information

6	IMS G300 colour video controller
	6.1	Introduction
		6.1.1	Clocks
		6.1.2	Video timing
		6.1.3	Screen management
		6.1.4	Pixel port
		6.1.5	Video DACs
		6.1.6	Programming port
		6.1.7	System Operation
	6.2	Pin function reference guide
		6.2.1	Micro port
		6.2.2	Pixel port
		6.2.3	Miscellaneous
		6.2.4	Phase locked loop
		6.2.5	Video signals
		6.2.6	Supplies
	6.3	Register function reference guide
	6.4	The control register and boot location
	6.5	The video timing generator
		6.5.1	Introduction
		6.5.2	The display screen
		6.5.3	Line timing parameters
		6.5.4	Frame timing parameters
		6.5.5	Parameter calculation
		6.5.6	The startup sequence
	6.6	The G300 Address Map
	6.7	Synchronising signals
		6.7.1	Introduction
		6.7.2	Master mode
		6.7.3	Slave mode
	6.8	The Micro-port
		6.8.1	Introduction
		6.8.2	Initialisation
		6.8.3	Programming operation
		6.8.4	The screen transfer operation
		6.8.5	The transfer address
		6.8.6	Transfer cycle timing
		6.8.7	FrameInactive
	6.9	The pixel ports
		6.9.1	Pixel port operation
		6.9.2	Mode 1 operation
		6.9.3	Mode 2 operation
	6.10	The video DACs
		6.10.1	General
		6.10.2	DAC output waveform
		6.10.3	DAC characteristics
		6.10.4	Power supply and reference current
		6.10.5	Analogue output - line driving
		6.10.6	Analogue output - protection
	6.11	Clock generation and phase locked loop
		6.11.1	Introduction
		6.11.2	PllClkIn
		6.11.3	CapPlus, CapMinus
		6.11.4	Speed selection
		6.11.5	Recommended input clock and multiplication factors
		6.11.6	PixClkIn
	6.12	General parametric conditions and characteristics
		6.12.1	Operating conditions
		6.12.2	Operating characteristics
		6.12.3	Output drive capability
	6.13	Package specifications
		6.13.1	84 pin grid array package
		6.13.2	84 lead quad cerpack package
		6.13.3	Ordering information
	6.14	Programming example for Hitachi HM-4219/4119 monitor
		6.14.1	Calculation of parameters

7	INMOS colour look-up tables
	7.1	Introduction to colour look-up tables
		7.1.1	What is a CLUT and where does it fit into a graphics system?
		7.1.2	Why use a colour table?
		7.1.3	The INMOS CLUT range
		7.1.4	Choosing your device - functionality
		7.1.5	Choosing your device - speed selection
		7.1.6	A glossary of terms
	7.2	Using INMOS CLUTs
		7.2.1	General board layout
		7.2.2	The power supply to the CLUT
		7.2.3	Decoupling the CLUT supply
		7.2.4	The pixel inputs
		7.2.5	The DAC outputs
		7.2.6	Current sources
		7.2.7	Radiated power from graphics systems
		7.2.8	Minimising the power dissipation of a CLUT - Power-down mode
	7.3	Circuit techniques using the G17x family
		7.3.1	Adding composite sync to the G171/6
	7.4	Troubleshooting - common problems and their solutions
		7.4.1	Unexplained colour changes on the screen
		7.4.2	Grey streaks on light/dark boundaries

A	Quality and Reliability
	A.1	Total quality control (TQC) and reliability programme
	A.2	Quality and reliability in design
	A.3	Document control
	A.4	New product qualification
	A.5	Product monitoring Programme
	A.6	Production testing and quality monitoring procedure
		A.6.1	Reliability testing
		A.6.2	Production testing
		A.6.3	Quality monitoring Procedure

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