VISUAL 550 User manual

See for yourself
REFERENCE MANUAL
VISUAL 550

WARNING
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and
if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual may
cause interference to communications. It has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for Class A computing devices pursuant to Subpart J
of Part 15 of FCC rules which are designed to provide reasonable protec-
tion against such interference when operated in a commercial environment.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause inter-
ference in
which case the user at his own expense will be requ'ired to take
whatever measures may
be required to correct the interference.
Class A Label DC 010-002 Rev A o
o
o

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
V550
REFERENCE MANUAL
February 1983
,-, .~~

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
SAFETY WARNING
Hazardous voltages 115, 220 VAC and 15 KV DC are present when the,
terminal is on, and may remain after power is removed. Use caution when
working on internal circuits, and do not work alone.
When handling the cathode ray tube caution is required as the internal
phosphor is toxic. Safety goggles and gloves must be used whenever the
CRT tube is handled. Should the tube break, skin or eyes exposed to the
phosphor, rinse the affected
area with cold water and consult a physician.
This terminal
is supplied with a cord set which includes a safety ground.
Do
not use this terminal with an -ungrounded outlet, missing ground pin,
or use any adaptor which will defeat the safety ground.
Insure that power is turned off before connecting or disconnecting the
keyboard cable.
This manual is published and distributed by Visual Technology I nco Every
effort has been exercised to insure its accuracy and completeness. The
contents
are subject to change without notice and this manual may not
reflect the latest changes. Consu It the sales department for latest changes.

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
1.1 DESiGN...................................................... 1-1
1.2 GLOSSARY OF COMMONLY USED TERMS. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
2. SPECIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-1
3. START-UP PROCEDURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.1 UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.2 INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3-1
3.3 INTERFACE OPTIONS. .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.3.1 Data Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3.4 WORD LENGTH
AND PARITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
'3.5 SET-UP
MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
3.6
HOW TO ENTER BASIC SET-UP MODE ............................ 3-6
3.7 HOW TO CHANGE BASIC SET-UP FEATURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3-7
3.7.1 Line/Local. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
3.7.2 Block/Character Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
3.7.3 Protect/Unprotect Mode .................................. 3-8
3.7.4 Click/Silent
Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
3.7.5 Normal/Reverse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
3.7.6 Alpha/Graphics
Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
3.7.6.1 Video Mode Selection
........................... 3-8
3.7.6.2 Print
Page Selection .......................... '. . . 3-9
3.7.7
Reset .............................................. ". . . 3-9
3.7.8 Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3.7.9
Tabs. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3.7.10 Answerback............................................ 3-10
3.8 HOW TO ENTER MENU SET-UP MODE ............................ 3-11
3.9 HOW TO CHANGE MENU SET-UP FEATURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
3.9.1 Select Editing Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
3.9.1.1 Editing Extent Mode ............................ 3-12
3.9.1.2 Erasure
Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
3.9.1.3 Control Representation Mode
..................... 3-12
3.9.1.4
Auto Tab Mode ................................ 3-12
3.9.1.5
Auto Wrap Mode ............................... 3-13
3.9.1.6
Auto New Line Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
3.9.2 Select Transmit/Receive Menu
................ ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
3.9.2.1 Line Transmit
Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
3.9.2.2 Guarded Area Transmit Mode
..................... 3-13
3.9.2.3 Transfer Termination Mode
.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
3.9.2.4 Multiple Area Transmit Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
iii

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
3.9.3
3.9.4
3.9.5
3.9.6
3.9.7
3.9.8
TABLE OF CONTENTS -Continued
3.9.2.5 Transmit Request Mode ......................... .
3.9.2.6 Function Message Framing ....................... .
Select Communication Menu .............................. .
3.9.3.1 Parity Sense Mode ............................. .
3.9.3.2 Parity Select Mode ............................. .
3.9.3.3 Bit Per Character .............................. .
3.9.3.4 Duplex Mode ................................. .
3.9.3.5 Transmitter Flow Control Select ........ ' .......... .
3.9.3.6 Auto XON/XOFF (RCVR) ...................... .
3.9.3.7 Local Echo Mode .............................. .
3.9.3.8 2nd Channel Turnaround Mode ................... .
3.9.3.9 Transmitter Rate .............................. .
3.9.3.10 Receiver Rate ................................. .
Select Printer Modes ..................................... .
Select Printer Interface ................................... .
Program Message Framing Codes ......................•.....
3.9.6.1 Message Framing Codes ......................... .
3.9.6.2 Start of Message Code .......................... .
3.9.6.3 Area Separator Code ........................... .
3.9.6.4 First End of Line Code .......................... .
3.9.6.5
3.9.6.6
3.9.6.7
3.9.6.8
Second End of Line Code ........................ .
First End of Message Code ....................... .
Second End of Message Code ..................... .
Turn Around Control Code ...................... .
Graphics Trailer Code #1 ........................ .
Trailer Code #2 ............................... .
Terminal Status Menu ................................... .
3.9.7.1 Refresh Rate ................................. .
3.9.7.2 Screen Saver .................................. .
3.9.7.3 Status Line ................................... .
3.9.7.4 Cursor ...................................... .
3.9.7.5 Default Intensity .............................. .
3.9.7.6 Emulation ................................... .
3.9.7.7 Keyboard .................................... .
3.9.7.8 Screen Size ................................... .
3.9.7.9 XMIT Rate Slow Down ......................... .
Select Graph ics Operating Parameters ....................... .
3.9.8.1 Alpha Character Cell Size ........................ .
3.9.8.2 Space Code Operation .......................... .
3.9.8.3 Scale Factor .................................. .
3.9.8.4 Aux Port Mode ................................ .
3.9.8.5 Printer Type ........ " .......................... .
3.9.8.6 Print I mage Rotation ........................... .
3.9.8.7 Extended Diagnostics ............................ .
3.9.8.8 Print I mage Rotation ........................... .
3.9.8.9 Extended Diagnostics ........................... .
iv
Page
3-14
3-14
3-14
3-14
3-15
3-15
3-16
3-16
3-16
3-16
3-16
3-16
3-17
3-17
3-17
3-17
3-17
3-18
3-18
3-18
3-18
3-18
3-18
3-18
3-19
3-19
3-20
3-20
3-20
3-20
3-20
3-20
3-20
3-20
3-21
3-21
3-21
3-21
3-22
3-22
3-22
3-22
3-22
3-22
3-23
3-23

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
TABLE OF CONTENTS -Continued
Page
3.10 HOW TO ENTER FUNCTION KEY SET-UP MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
3. 10.1 Function Key Defin ition .................................. 3-24
3.11 HOW TO PROG RAM FUNCTION KEYS ............................ 3-24
3.11.1 Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
3.11.2 Function Key Programmable Links .......................... 3-25
3.11.3 Local Transmit of the Function Key ......................... 3-25
3.12 PERFORMING A RECALL OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
3.13 PERFORMING A SAVE OPERATION.. ....... .. .... .. .... ......... 3-26
3.14 SCREEN BRIGHTNESS ............ :............................ 3-26
4. KEYBOARD CONTROLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
4.1 GENERAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
4.2 KEY FUNCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
4.2.1 Numeric Pad Functions ................................. ,. 4-5
4.2.2 4-5
4.2.3 4-5
4.2.4 Clear Graphics Memory ................................... 4-5
4.3 EDITING FUNCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 4-5
4.4 FUNCTION KEYS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
5. ALPHANUMERIC PROGRAMMING ANSI X3.64 .......................... 5-1
5.1 GENERAL ........................................... ". ........ 5-1
5.2 CONTROL CODES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
5.3 CONTROL SEQUENCE FUNCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
5.3.1 Scrolling Region Command ................................ 5-4
5.3.2 Cursor Movement Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
5.3.3 Tabbing Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
5.3.4 Save/Restore Cursor Command ............................. 5-6
5.3.5 Report Commands and Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
5.3.6 Select Character Sets Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
5.3.7 Screen Alignment Command ............................... 5-8
5.3.7.1 Remote Video Display Modes ..................... 5-8
5.3.8 Program Function Key Command ........... '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
5.3.9 Erasure Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
5.3.10 Editing Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
5.3.11 Set Communication Control Codes Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
5.3.12 Video Attribute Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
5.3.13 Remote Transmit Command ............................... 5-12
5.3.14 Reset Command ......................................... 5-12
5.3. 15 Define Area Qualification Command .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
5.4 MODES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
5.4. 1 Guarded Area Transfer Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
5.4.2 Keyboard Action Mode ................................... 5-15
5.4.3 Control Representation Mode .............................. 5-15
5.4.4 Insert/Replace Mode ..................................... 5-15
v

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
TABLE OF CONTENTS -Continued
Page
5.4.5 Erasure Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
5.4.6 Character .Mode ....... ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 5-15
5.4.7 Multiple Area Transfer Mode .......................... : . . . . 5-16
5.4.8 Transfer Termination Mode ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
5.4.9 Line Feed/New Line Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
5.4. 10 Protect Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
5.4. 11 Autotab Mode .......................................... 5-17
5.4. 12 Screen Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
5.4.13 Origin Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
5.4.14 Autowrap Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
5.4.15 Transmit Request Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
5.4.16 Line Transmit Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
5.4.17 Screen Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
5.5 SELECTED EDITING EXTENT MODE ............................. 5-18
5.6 SEND STATUS LINE MESSAGE COMMAND ........................ 5-18
6. GRAPHICS PROGRAMMING ..................... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
6.1 GRAPHICS DISPLAY COORDINATES ............................. 6-1
6.2 DISPLAY COORDINATE FORMAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 6-2
6.3 SCREEN FORMAT 4010/4014 COMPATIBILITy..................... 6-8
6.4 CONTROL CODES ............................................. 6-8
6.4. 1 BEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
6.4.2 BS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
6.4.3 HT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
6.4.4 LF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.4.5 VT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.4.6 EM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.5 ALPHANUMERIC MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.5. 1 CAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.5.2 Alphanumeric Cursor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.6 ALPHAGRAPHICS MODE ....................................... 6-9
6.6.1 CR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
6.6.1.1 US. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
6.6.1.2 ESC FF ...................................... 6-10
6.6.1.3 SH I FT SET-UP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
6.6.2 6-10
6.6.3 Alphagraphics Character Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
6.6.4 Alphagraph ics Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
6.7 POINT PLOT MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
6.7.1 FS................................................... 6-11
6.8 INCREMENTAL POINT PLOT MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
6.8.1 RS ............ :'. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
6.9 VECTOR MODE ............................................... 6-13
6.9. 1 GS ................................................... 6- 13
6.9.2 Line Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17
6.9.2.1 Select Line Style ............................... 6-17
vi

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
TABLE OF CONTENTS -Continued
Page
6.9.2.2 Define User Line Styles .......................... 6-17
6.10 RECTANGULAR DRAW AND FILL............................... 6-17
6.10.1 ESC/x,y,6 X;
6YX...................................... 6-18
6.10.2 ESC/x, y 6; x,
6y Y . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
6.10.3 Filling
Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
6.10.4 Direction
Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19
6.10.5 6-20
6.11 DATA LEVEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
6.11.1 6-20
6.12 CROSSHAI R MODE ............................................ 6-20
6.12.1 II ESC SUB or ESC CTRL Z ................................. 6-21
6.12.2 Load Crosshair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
6.13 INQUiRy..................................................... 6-22
6.14
SCALING..................................................... 6-23
6.15 BLOCK
TRANSFER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23
6.15.1 'Address Load ESC" X;
Ya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23
6.15.2 Data Load
............................................. 6-24
6.15.3 Memory
Read ESC "X; Y; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24
6.16 GRAPHICS
COMMUNICATIONS. .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 6-25 '
6.16. 1
Handshaking............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25
6.16.1.2
XON/XOFF................................... 6-25
6.16.1.3 Status Readback Control
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25
6.17 REMOTE PARAMETER
SE LECTION .............................. 6-26
6.17.1 6-26
6.17.2
Aux Port Rec. Data Use Menu #8 ........................... 6-26
6.18 4014 FONT
COMPATIBILITy.................................... 6-27
6.19
CI RCLE AND ARC DRAW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27
7. DATA TRANSMISSION. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7-1
7.1 MODES. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
7.2 MESSAGE FRAMING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
7.2.1 Block Mode Transmission Framing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
7.2.2 Function Key, Answerback
and Status Transmissions ............ 7-3
7.2.3 Line Drawing
and Foreign Character Sets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
7.3
HALF/FU LL DUPLEX .......................................... 7-5
7.3.1
Half-Duplex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
7.3.2 F
ull-Duplex ............................................ 7-5
7.4
XON/XOFF PROTOCOL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
7.5 DTR
DATA TERMINAL READY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 7-7
8. VT100 and VT52 COMPATIBILITY.. . .. .. . . ... . ..... ... . . . .. . .. .. ... .. . 8-1
8.1 TRANSITIONAL CONTROL CODES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
8. 1. 1 8-1
8.2 VISUAL 300 ENHANCEMENTS IN VT100 AND VT52 MODE. . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
8.2.1 Programmable Function Keys .............................. 8-1
8.2.2 Status Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
8.2.2. 1 8-2
8.2.2.2 8-2
vii

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
TABLE OF CONTENTS -Continued
Page
8.3 VISUAL 550 RESTRICTIONS IN VT100 MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
8.3.1 8-2
8.3.2 8-2
8.4 VT100 AND VT52 MODE COMMANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
8.4.1 VT100 Mode Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
8.4. 1.1 Cursor Next Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
8.4.1.2 Save Cursor ................................... 8-3
8.4.1.3 Restore Cursor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
8.4.1.4 Align Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
8.4.1.5 Program LE Ds ................................. 8-3
8.4.1.6 Enter Alternate Keypad Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
8.4.1.7 Exit Alternate Keypad Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
8.4.1.8 Set Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
8.4.1.9 Reset Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
8.4.1.10 AUTO-REPEAT MODE: ......................... 8-4
8.4.1.11 EMU LATION MODE: ........................... 8-4
8.4.1.12 CURSOR KEY MODE: .......................... 8-4
8.4.1.13 LOCAL ECHO MODE: .......................... 8-5
8.4. 1.14 8-5
8.4.1.15 STATUS COMMANDS AND RESPONSES........... 8-5
8.4.1.16 REPORT TERMINAL PARAMETERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
8.4.2 VT52 MODE COMMANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
8.4.2.1 Cursor Movement Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
8.4.2.2 Cursor Down .................................. 8-6
8.4.2.3 Cursor Right. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
8.4.2.4 Cursor Left. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
8.4.2.5 Cursor Home .................................. 8-7
8.4.2.6 Reverse Line Feed .............................. 8-7
8.4.2.7 Cursor Addressing .............................. 8-7
8.4.2.8 Erase Commands ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
8.4.2.9 Erase to End-of-Page ............................ 8-7
8.4.2.10 Enter Graphics 8-7
8.4.2.11 Enter Alternate Keypad Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
8.4.2.12 Enter VT100 Mode ............................. 8-8
8.4.2.13 Identify...................................... 8-8
9. AUXI LIARY INTERFACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
9.1 GENERAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 9-1
9.2 SER IAL PR INTER INTERFACE .................................. 9-1
9.3 SERIAL PRINTER SET-UP MODE. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
9.4 GRAPHIC PRINTER INTERFACE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
9.5 SUMMARY OF GRAPHICS PRINT COMMANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 9-6
9.6 DATA TABLETS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
9.6.1 G.T.C.O. DiGi Pad-5 ............ :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
9.6.2 Summagraphics - Bit Pad I ................................ 9-10
viii

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
TABLE OF CONTENTS -Continued
Page
9.7 GRAPHIC PRINTERS........................................... 9-10
9.7.1 Anadex. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
9.7.2 IDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
9.7.3 Datasouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
9.7.4 Texprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
9.7.5 M.P.I.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
9.7.6 Hi-G.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
10. FIRST LEVEL MAINTENANCE ....... '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
10.1 GENE RA L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
10.2 TOP COVER .................................................. 10-1
10.2.1 Top Cover Removal .... ........ ...... .................... 10-1
10.3 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION......... 10-2
10.4 TV MONITOR PCB REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
10.5 CRT AND FLYBACK REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION............... 10-3
10.6 TV MONITOR ADJUSTMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 10-3
10.7 110/220 VOLT SE LECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
10.8 TROUBLESHOOTING V500/550 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
10.9 SE LF TEST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
10.10V500/V550 ................................................... 10-7
APPENDIX I - ALPHANUMERIC CONTROL SEQUENCES ................. " '.. . A1-1
APPENDIX II -GRAPHIC COMMANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2-1
APPENDIX III -CODE CHARTS............................... ............ A3-1
APPENDIX IV - NUMERIC EQUIVALENT OF ASCII CHART. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4-1
APPENDIX V - GRAPHIC RENDITION OF CONTROL CODES .................. A5-1
APPENDIX VI - TERMINAL PACKAGING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6-1
APPENDIX VII - MATH SYMBOL SET NO.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A7-1
APPENDIX VIII - MATH SYMBOL SET NO.2.. . ... . . .... .. .... .. .. ....... . .. A8-1
APPENDIX IX - VT52 GRAPHICS FONT.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . A9-1
APPENDIX X - LINE DRAWING CHARACTER SET........................... A10-1
ix

Figure 3-1
Figure 3-2
Figure 3-3
Figure 3-4
Figure 3-5
Figure 3-6
Figure 3-7
Figure 3-8
Figure 3-9
Figure 3-10
Figure 3-11
Figure
6-1
Figure 6-2
Figure 6-4
Figure 6-5
Figure 6-6
Figure 6-7
Figure
9-1
Figure 9-2
Figure
10-1
Figure 10-2
Figure 10-3
Figure 10-4
Table
3-1
Table 3-2
Table 4-1
Table 4-2
Table 4-3
Table 5-1
Table 5-2
Table 5-3
Table 5-4
Table 5-5
Table 5-6
Table 5-7
Table 5-8
VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
LIST OF FIGURES
Byte Description .......................................... .
Basic SET-UP Presentation
................................... .
Tab Set-Up
.......... -' .................................... .
Answerback Set-Up
.. ' .................................. .' ... .
Select Editing Menu ........................................ .
Select Transmit/Receive Screen Presentation ..................... .
Select Communication Menu ................................. .
Program
Message Framing Codes Screen Presentation .............. .
Select Terminal Status Screen Presentation ...................... .
Select Graphics Operating Parameters .......................... .
Program Function Keys Screen Presentation
..................... .
Screen Format
............................................ .
Data Sequence Point Plot Mode
............................... .
Incremental Point Plot Directional Characteristics ................. .
Data Sequence Vector Mode
................................. .
Rectangular Draw .......................................... .
Select Printer Modes Screen Presentation ........................ .
Select Printer Interface Modes Screen Presentation ................ .
Top Cover Removal ........................................ .
PCB Mounting ............................................ .
110/220 Volt Selection ..................................... .
LIST OF TABLES
Initial Settings and Functions for Internal Switches ................ .
E
IA RS232-C Signal Definitions and Connector Pins ............... .
Codes Generated by Cursor Positioning Keys ..................... .
Modified Numeric
Pad ...................................... .
Default Valve of Function Keys ............................... .
Alphanumeric Control Codes ................................. .
Transitional Control Codes ................................... .
Incremental Cursor Positioning Commands ...................... .
Line Drawing Character Set
.................................. .
Summary
of Video Attributes and Selective Parameters ............. .
Selective Parameters Associated With Define Area
Qualification Com~and ..................................... .
Selective Parameters Associated With Set/Reset Mode
Control Seq uences' ......................................... .
Selective Parameters Associated With Selected Editing Extent Mode ... .
x
Page
3-5
3-7
3-10
3-11
3-12
3-13
3-15
3-17
3-19
3-21
3-24
6-1
6-2
6-12
6-14
6-15
6-18
9-2
9-5
10-1
10-2
10-4
10-5
3-2
3-4
4-3
4-4
4-6
5-1
5-2
5-4
5-7
5-12
5-13
5-14
5-18

Table 6-1
Table 6-2
Table 6-3
Table 6-4
Table 6-5
Table 6-6
Table 6-7
Table 7-1
Table 9-1
Table 9-2
Table 9-3
VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Graphics
Control Codes ..................................... .
Alphagraphics Character Size
................................. .
Margin 1 Location
......................................... .
Line Styles
............................................... .
Selective Parameters Direction Command ....................... .
6-4
6-8
6-10
6-11
6-17
6-19
6-20
Combinations of Transmission Modes ........................... 7-2
Auxiliary Port Pin Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9-1
Summary of Graphics Print Commands ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9-6
Summary of Alphanumeric Print Commands and Modes .. . . . . . . . . . .. 19-7
xi

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
1. INTRODUCTION
The VISUAL 550 is a sophisticated, micro-processor based, graphics and alphanumeric display
terminal. The terminal employs two independent display memories: alphanumeric and graphics.
This architecture allows the VISUAL 550 to deliver full feature graphics with enhanced
alphanumeric functionality.
The VISUAL 550 offers nine operating modes: ALPHANUMERIC, ALPHAGRAPHICS, POINT
PLOT, INCREMENTAL PLOT, VECTOR, CROSSHAIR, LOCAL, CHARACTER and BLOCK
MODES.
The ALPHANUME RIC functions of the V550 are compatible with the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI X3.64) standard for display terminals.
The Alphanumeric functions of the VISUAL 550 may also be selected to be code compatible with
the: Digital Equipment Corporation
VT52 and VT100
These emulations are selectable in set-up mode and complete details are contained in section
The graphics functions are fully compatible with Techtronix Plot 10® software.
This manual provides programming and application details for the V550. All control sequences and
their associated standard are discussed in detail.
1.1 DESIGN
NOTE
For clarity all commands that apply to graphics mode operation are
presented with a gray, shade background.
The VISUAL 550 is really two independent display terminals in one.
The alphanumeric "side" is functionally identical to the VISUAL 300 and performs all the
functions of a"smart editing" terminal. Alphanumeric data is stored in RAM memory on a
character basis. The display matrix for alphanumeric data is 80x34.
The graphics "side" is compatible with Plot 10 software and offers advanced graphics
features (primitives) such as Rectangular Draw with fill. Graphics data is stored in RAM
memory on a Bit Map basis. The display matrix for graphics data is 768x585.
The VISUAL 5pO employs raster scan technology, thus the CRT is not relied upon to
store images. This approach offers many improvements over storage tube technology
including a brighter screen, increased speed and selective erase capability.
Since both elements of the display (alphanumeric and graphics, originate from distinct
memories they may be intermixed in a nondestructive manner.
The VISUAL 550 is configured using an easy to understand IIMenu Style" Set-Up Mode.
These operating parameters are stored in non-vplatile RAM. Most operating parameter
may be down loaded from the host.
The VISUAL 550 operates by receiving a sequer]ce of ASCII characters from either the
host or from the keyboard.
1-1

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
1.2 GLOSSARY OF COMMONLY USED TERMS
Attribute
Property of a display entity. For example, on a graphics display a line may have the fol!ow-
ing attribute -line type.
Absolute Point
An individually addressable position on the display screen, identified by specified X and Y
coordinate positions (e.g., X=23, Y=32).
Absolute Vector
A line segment drawn from the current beam position to an absolute point. The end
coordinates are defined in Absolute Units relative to the origin of the I MAG E DE FIN ITI ON
A REA. Contrast relative vector.
Addressability
The smallest discrete unit at which a display element can be defined and to which the
hardware responds. The addressability of the V550 image definition area is one part in
1024 and of the viewing area is one part in 768. The smallest addressable display element
is sometimes called a Raster Unit (R.U.).
Addressable Point
Any position is the Viewing Area to which the CRT beam may be directed. These positions
are specified by COO RDINATES. Such addressable positions are finite in number, and
form a discrete grid over the VIEWING AREA. In a matrix display such as the PLASMA
PANEL, and Addressable Point and Resolution are iqentical.
Basic Vector
In V550, a vector in one of the eight major directions (horizontal, vertical and 45° to these
directions).
Blink
A hardware mode where the displayed information "blinks", i.e., turn on and off, typically
twice a second; usually to attract the attention of the operator as with a warning message
(also known as FLASH).
Character Generator
A hardware or firmware option which takes character data stored in ASCII character format
and causes the appropriate deflections and or intensifications on the CRT to cause the
corresponding character images to appear on the screen.
Contrast
The ratio of the brightness of a display image to the screen background.
1-2

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Coordinate
A positional reference on the.display image relative to an origin. In a display system the
hardware interprets coordinates in the raster units, whereas in a program user defined
coordinates may be used.
Cursor
A flashing underscore or symbol displayed on a screen. It is usually positioned where the
next alphanumeric character will be displayed, or other data entry may take place. May
be moved by the driving computer, or the operator through keypress, or other operator
input devices.
Data Tablet
A graphic input device which encodes X-Y data from a hand held stylus. The portion of
the stylus on the tablet surface may be interrogated under program control or may be
continuously input. Most writing tablets provide the coordinate information by sensing
signals from parallel sets of X and Y wires under the surface. Another form of writing
tablet is the sonic variety which the sound from sparks is received by microphones at the
edge of the tablet.
Function Keypad
A portion of an alphanumeric keyboard, typically with 8 keys, used to invoke control
functions, e.g., move cursor left, right, up, down. Sometimes called Function Keyboard,
and may
be separate from alphanumeric keyboard.
Graphic
Adjective. Synonomous with Display (adj.) and Graphical. Usually refers to those devices
that draw lines and points.
Hard Copy
A permanent copy of a DISPLAY IMAGE.
INTENSITY
Strictly, the absolute luminosity of brightness of an image on the display screen.
Line Type
The type of line used to display vectors on the screen.
Mode
The current mode of a display processor determines how it will interpret data values
accessed from a display file. For example, in vector mode data values are interpreted as
vector coordinates. Other modes are incremental Plot Mode, Point Plot Mode, Alpha-
nu meric Mode.
1-3

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
Monitor
Usually refers to the physical CRT unit and housing used in graphic display systems.
Phosphor
The chemical coating on the inside face of a CRT which emits visible light when energized
by
an electron beam.
Pixel
A single picture element, a dot.
Primitive
One of the fundamental graphics entities. A primitive is one vector (relative, absolute, etc.)
a
point, a text string. Primitives are the smallest definable objects in a display processor's
instruction
set.
Raster Scan
A technique for generating or recording an image with an intensity controlled, line-by-line
sweep across the Display Surface.
Raster Unit
The horizontal or vertical distance between two adjacent addressable points on a CRT
Display. Analogous to Plotter Step Size.
Refresh Rate
The rate at which a Display is Regenerated.
Relative Vector
A vector whose end points are defined with respect to a relative origin.
Resolution
The smallest distance between two display elements which can be perceived as two distinct
elements by the viewer.
Scaling
A Transformation Function that alters one or more Display Elements by multiplying their
Coordinates by constant values. The effect of Scal ing is to change their size or shape in
a graphics system, either in the Display Image, in the graphics data
base or in both.
Scale Factor
A number which multiplies the vector end point coordinates to produce scaling.
1-4

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
Screen Size
The size of a cathode ray tube is the diameter of the tube outside of its housing, or for a
non-round tube the length
of the maximum diagonal. The screen size sometimes refers to
the dimensions -length and breadth -after the CRT has been mounted in its housing.
Because of tube mounting and deflection limits, the VIEWING AREA may be less than the
Screen Size.
Scrolling
Conventional scrolling is the movement of an image usually a block of text up the screen
to allow the display of a new line at the bottom.
Selective Erase
Removal of one or more specified Display Elements, Display Entities, or Display Groups
without affecting the remainder of the Display I mage.
Subpicture
An entity defined by grouping together several primitive definitions. A subpicture is
analogous to a computer subroutine and is used for the same reasons - primarily modularity
and efficiency. By referencing a subpicture, images can be repeated without having to
respecify the primitives included in the subpicture definition.
Text Mode
The manner in which text is displayed, e.g., normal, italics, subscript, superscript, etc.
Vector
As in the classical definition of vectors, graphic vectors possess the attributes of magnitude
and direction and
are generally defined relative to the "current beam positions."
Vector Generator
A function generator which in hardware takes vector definition data, typically X and Y
beam displacements or end point coordinates, and draws a line directly on the screen.
Vector Type
The specification of the vector appearance. For example, V550 has vector types: solid,
dashed, short dashed, dot-dash.
Viewing Area
That portion of the screen on which images can be displayed. Typically ~he boundaries
of the viewing area are set by hardware limiting amplifiers to be within the bounds of the
SCREEN SIZE.
1-5

VISUAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 540 MAIN STREET, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876
Windowing
The visual effect achieved by the apparent movement of a Viewing Area across a larger
image area.
Window
A hounded area within a display image that contains a scissored subset of the display
data.
1-6