The word "sixel" may look odd, but it is a legitimate term used in electronics to describe a specific type of connector. Despite its uncommon appearance, the spelling of "sixel" is actually quite phonetic. Using IPA transcription, it can be written as /ˈsɪksəl/. The "si" represents the "s" sound, followed by a short "i" vowel sound, and ending with the "ks" sound represented by the "ks" cluster. The "el" at the end is a standard way to represent the sound of the letter "l" in English.
SIXEL is a term that refers to a graphical representation of a single pixel using six little squares arranged in a grid of a 2x3 formation. This grid is commonly used in various computer and communication systems to display or represent images.
In more technical terms, SIXEL is an ASCII-based bitmap graphics format that consists of a set of data commands, which when executed properly, can generate a corresponding image on the screen or output device. Each SIXEL pixel is represented by six individual squares, which are arranged in two rows of three squares each. The squares can be filled with specific colors or left empty, depending on the desired image.
The concept of SIXEL was initially developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for their line of terminals in the 1980s. It was primarily designed to provide a compact and efficient way for transmitting graphical information over low-bandwidth connections. SIXEL graphics found applications in various fields, including telecommunications, printing, and computer visualization.
Today, SIXEL is still utilized in some modern systems and software applications, particularly in environments that require efficient and concise representation of images. It is worth noting that SIXEL is not as widely used as other graphic formats like JPEG or PNG, but it remains an essential component in legacy systems and communication protocols.