Using technology supplied by Brooktree Corp, San Diego, Digital Equipment Corp has announced the DECchip 21030, a Peripheral Components Interconnect graphics accelerator chip claimed to provide workstation-class graphics performance at commodity personal computer prices. The DECchip 21030 is claimed to improve performance of Pentium- and Alpha AXP-based personal computers in three-dimensional computer-aided design, visualisation, graphic arts and other applications that require workstation-class graphics. The first of a family of planned graphics chips, the DECchip 21030 accelerator will be marketed by DEC and Brooktree – Brooktree and DEC will independently fabricate the DECchip 21030 and market it under their own names. In addition to the graphics accelerator chip, both companies are working together to supply all associated software drivers, evaluation boards and design databases, and other support elements. DEC already supports Intel Corp’s PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect on its RISCs and offers an Ethernet controller and a PCI to PCI bridge chip. The chip implements a highly pipelined architecture that delivers maximum graphics throughput over a 64-bit video memory port, the partners say, to deliver lightning-fast line drawing capabilities, new levels of three-dimensional acceleration with support of OpenGL, and enhanced picture quality with patent pending image processing techniques. It supports up to 1,600 by 1,280 pixel graphics in 16.7m colours and costs $59.80 in 5,000-up quantities with samples now, volume next quarter. The agreement between DEC and Brooktree is aimed at combining DEC’s strengths in Windows-based graphics subsystems and accelerators with Brooktree’s expertise in mixed-signal chip technology. In addition to all-digital parts such as the DECchip 21030, the two have also defined and are currently developing products that will exploit Brooktree’s mixed-signal integration skills to add functions such as video support: plans are to support applications ranging from high-performance graphics to videoconferencing and cheap accelerated video playback.
