Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation (E&S) demonstrated its newest PC-based image generator, simFUSION 6000, at I/ITSEC 2002. Using the second-generation E&S simENGINE graphics board, simFUSION 6000 is the first PC-IG to combine multiple ATI RADEON 9700 graphics chips on a single card.

Key features, according to the manufacturer include:

• Exceptional fill rates enabled by a 256-bit wide unified memory interface and integrated multi-chip supertiling;
• Outstanding image quality as a result of best-in-class multisample/supersample antialiasing combined with 16x anisotropic texturing, floating-point graphics pipelines, and gamma-in/gamma-out;
• Full-speed, 16-bit monochrome mode for accurate sensor simulation;
• Three DVI-I outputs per chassis in the quad-chip configuration for cost-effective three-channel, low-end image generator applications;
• Multiple chassis solutions via dual-link DVI inputs and outputs for ultra-high-end applications.

simFUSION 6000 offers unbeatable PC-IG performance and image quality, with 2-to-24-sample full-scene antialiasing at screen resolutions up to 2048x1536 and fill rates up to 9.6Gpix/s. OpenGL 1.3, Direct3D 9.0, and Linux compatible, simFUSION configurations include two or four ATI RADEON 9700 graphics chips, one or three DVI-I outputs, a DVI input, and Chanlock channel synchronization. Genlock to internal or external video and 256MB of unified memory are standard in all configurations. The DVI input allows multiple chassis to be cascaded for higher performance or additional AA samples. Optional sensor postprocessor and distortion correction/edge blending cards are available. The first customer deliveries will occur in the first quarter of 2003.

There is no technical information about the novelty currently issued at E&S’ web-site. As soon as it will be available, I will share the more in-depth information on the technical side of the simFUSION 6000 with you (I know that you all wonder how those four RADEON 9700 VPUs work in quad configuration).