NEC Corp and Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG will jointly develop a three-dimensional graphics chip for R-series RISC-based Unix workstations. The two companies are members of MIPS ABI and use the same R-series processors in their workstations and servers. The jointly developed library and graphics accelerator boards will typically be used for computer-aided design and manufacturing, said NEC marketing manager Mr Yoshinda. The technology will comply with the PHIGS Programmers’ Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System specifications. Financial terms of the agreement have not been released. Development is already under way of the graphics library, based on NEC’s previously- developed proprietary systems, and the technology is to remain in joint ownership. NEC is to manufacture the accelerator boards and sell them on to Siemens on an OEM basis.
