Implementation of the VGM graphics system on the PDP-11/50 under the RSX-11M operating system and construction of a compatible software driver for the Ramtek RM-9400

Abstract

In 1977 the ACM Special Interest Group for Graphics (SIGGRAPH) formed the Graphics Standards Planning Committee (GSPC) to develop a standard for the industry. The result of their efforts was the CORE graphics systems. This study discusses that system and the issues involved in its creation. It describes Bell Northern Research's approach to implementing CORE with their Virtual Graphics Machine (VGM). The installation of VGM at the Naval Postgraduate School on a PDP 11/50 with the RSX-11M operating system is describing as well as the initial efforts to expand it to drive the Ramtek RM-9400 Graphics Display System.