[comp.periphs] Frame Buffers/VMEbus to UNIBUS conversion woes...

ian@utcsri.UUCP (Ian Small) (12/10/86)

We currently run an Ikonas 3000 in a VAX 11/780 environment.
Because of a switchover to Sun equipment that is looming on the
horizon, we are having to examine methods to make our Ikonas
(a 24-bit plane 512x512 pixel frame buffer with 68000 bitslice processor)
work in a VMEbus environment.  Alternatively, we could
elect to replace it.

There are four questions which we are trying to answer.  Any information
that we might get from netland would help immensely.  The questions
are:

	1)  Does anybody know of a VMEbus to UNIBUS converter?
	    There must be some way to plug UNIBUS equipment into
	    Suns.  Any information, including rumour, hard facts,
	    names and/or numbers would be appreciated.

	2)  We could buy a Q-bus interface for our Ikonas, thereby
	    allowing us to use a VMEbus to Q-bus converter.  We know
	    there exist some of these, but would be interested in
	    any experience, advise, etc. that you may have.

	3)  Does there exist a 24-bit 512x512 (or better) frame buffer
	    for VMEbus?  We cannot find one of these at all.  It
	    seems that only if you have a PC do you have a wide
	    range of choice.

	4)  Has anybody out there successfully hooked up an Ikonas
	    in any fashion to a Sun?

If there is sufficient interest, I will summarize responses
and post to the net.

Thanks in advance,
-- 

Ian S. Small                      Dynamic Graphics Project
               			  Computer Systems Research Institute
(416) 978-6619			  University of Toronto

ian@toronto.CSNET
{allegra,cornell,decvax,ihnp4,linus,utzoo}!utcsri!ian