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By Anoop Thomas
Memory
Register memory (Inside Processor) Main memory (RAM,ROM) Secondary Memory (Disk)
Main Memory
Random Access Memory Read Only Memory
RAM
Larger than reg m/y Volatile Size 512Mb,2Gb etc Read and written very quickly Access time (time req. to read or write) is constant for all RAM locations DRAM,SRAM,SDRAM,DDR SDRAM RAM can hold programme as well as data Cache memory (faster than main m/y but slower than reg m/y)
Address
Types of RAM
SRAM DRAM SDRAM DDR SDRAM
!Bit
Bit
Write: Drive word line, drive new value (strongly) on bit lines
SRAM Cell
Read
Write
Note: CE signal is often active-low as opposed to how shown here. SRAMs also generally have a write enable signal
Write Cycle
Write Timings
Notice that Write Cycle = Read Cycle. All volatile RAM types have this feature.
Read: Drive word line, sense value on bit line (destroys saved value)
Bit line
DRAM Characteristics
Very dense (high capacity). Cheap per bit. Slow for Random Access (access to any location)
Cycle time >> access time, Read Cycle time = Write cycle time.
Only has half the address pins that you would expect
1M x 8 DRAM has only 10 address pins instead of 20 Reduces package size, can pack more DRAM chips per unit area. Address values multiplexed between row/column addresses
Dynamic RAM
Slower High density (1 transistor/bit) Unstable (needs refresh)
ROM
Read only m/y Non-volatile Usually stores the BIOS info. PROM,EPROM,EEPROM,FLASH
Disk Memory
Magnetic Memory (Hard disks) Optical Memory (CD, DVD, Blue ray disc)
Flash
SRAM-like interface, density of SRAM Non-volatile (retains contents when power is off) Read Cycle time same as SRAM (10s of nanoseconds) Write Cycle >> Read Cycle write times in microseconds Applications include smart cards (credit cards, medical history cards, etc) Intel is market leader, has a Flash RAM cell that stores 2-bits per cell (can sense 4 different voltage levels from cell).
Memory Hierarchy
Cost/Bit Access Speed
The further away, the slower the Cache access time, the higher the Main Memory capacity (density).
Registers Fixed Disk Floppy Zip CD-ROM CD-RW Capacity
Tape