Re: DAC80 Replacement

Marc Alexander wrote:

>Vector generator theory is what we're all here for, at least some of the time :)
>
>This makes me think about something I heard a long time ago and I'm not sure
>it's true:
>I heard that the main CRT display units in a Boeing 747-400 for example
>(or was it another relatively modern aircraft?), are
>basically vector scan monitors with such a high bandwidth that they can do both
>raster and vector scan, and change between a full vector-draw mode and
>raster scan mode depending on what screen they are displaying.
>I've seen some first hand myself and the picture is so good it's hard to tell,
>even in the some of the modes that appear vector-drawn. But it was a while ago.
>
>
>

I'm the one that used to test those at my Real Job (Rockwell Collins).
 They use a high-resolution Toshiba CRT (expensive) and, most of the
time, are used as a vector monitor. But if you want something like your
course laid over a weather radar scan it takes turns doing a raster scan
and the vector stuff.

How, you ask? One deflection amp has a retrace switch. It basically
disconnects the yoke from the amp and resonates it with a capacitor to
allow a high-speed retrace.

I had that penciled into my bulletproof G08 replacement as optional
parts that could be installed to make the monitor truly universal OR to
allow new game design that mixed raster and vector scanning into the
same picture. Like the circuitry for Cinematronics compatibility, the
place was going to be available on the board---just stuff the parts for
the features you needed.

(But others are designing replacement monitors, though I haven't heard
of anything lately).

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Received on Wed Oct 16 23:11:48 2002