Texas Instruments Graphics Architecture

The Texas Instruments Graphics Architecture ( TIGA ) is a standard for video cards, which has been developed since the mid- 1980s by Texas Instruments.

TIGA graphics cards built on a universal digital signal processor. Known processors of this standard were the TMS34010 and TMS34020 of. Originally used only in special CAD systems, came in the early 1990s also products for IBM-compatible personal computer on the market.

These cards were add-on cards that have been used are in CAD. Since they were not supported by the BIOS IBM - compatible computer, a normal graphics card to operate was always still necessary. Therefore, some models an additional integrated VGA controller (frame buffer) on the graphics board. For cost-effective CAD solutions dual screen TIGA cards were often combined with a low-cost Hercules graphics card and a corresponding black and white monitor.

The high-end standard could be due to the high prices in the mass market does not prevail. Designed for CAD applications under DOS and Microsoft Windows maps allowed a resolution of 1280 × 1024 pixels with a color depth of 24 bits.

Sample data from a TIGA graphics card:

Hercules Super Station XP

  • Slot: 16-bit ISA
  • CPU: TMS 34020
  • CPU clock: 40 MHz
  • Video RAM: Up to 4 MB
  • Program memory: up to 16 MB (including TrueType font cache )
  • Resolution: max. 1600 × 1280 ( interlaced), max. 1024 × 768 at True Color and virtually up to 4096 × 2040 pixels
  • Card Type: AddOn or extra- VGA part with on the map, not VGA compatible

Swell

  • DOS International 1/1993, p 44
  • TMS34010 data sheet (PDF, 1.5 MB)
  • Computer Graphics
  • Micro chip from Texas Instruments
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