Random Access Memory

SRAM;DRAM;EPROM;EEPROM

DR. Selvi Lukman, S.T,M.T

Computer and Human Brain
 Conclusion
• The
most significant difference between the brain and a
computer is that the human brain has the ability to
make decisions on its own and it can store an infinite
amount of information.
• Incontrast, a computer has to be programmed to
perform the functions and has a limited capacity to
store data and information.
 What is memory in computer ?
• In order to save data and instructions, memory is required. Memory is divided into cells, and they
are stored in the storage space present in the computer. Every cell has its unique location/address.

• In human brains, there are different ways of keeping a memory, like short-term memory, long-term
memory, implicit memory, etc. Likewise, in computers, there are different types of memories or
different ways of saving memories. They are cache memory, primary memory/main memory, and
secondary memory.
 Types of Computer Memory
There are three types of memories.
• Cache memory is helpful in speeding up
the CPU as it is a high-speed memory. It
consumes less time but is very expensive.

• RAM and ROM are the main memory or

primary memory which is used to store or hold
the current data. RAM is a volatile memory
while ROM is non-volatile in nature.

• Secondary memory is non-volatile in

nature, it is used to store data permanently in a
computer.
 HISTORY OF RAM
In 1947, the Williams tube marked the debut of the first
RAM type. The data was saved as electrically charged dots
on the face and was used in cathode ray tubes.

A magnetic-core memory was the second type of RAM,

which was created in 1947. RAM was made of small metal
rings and each ring connected with wires. A ring stored
one bit of data, and it can be easily accessible at any time

Large array of tiny toruses of a hard magnetic material

that can be magnetized in either of two directions. The
two directions can represent either of the values, 0 or 1,
in a binary bit.
• The RAM as solid-state memory, was invented by Robert Dennard in 1968 at
IBM Thomas J Watson Research Centre.
• It is generally known as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and has
many transistors to hold or store bits of data.
• A constant power supply was necessary to maintain the state of each
transistor.
 Features of RAM
• RAM is volatile in nature, which means, the data is lost when the device is switched
off.

• RAM is known as the primary memory of the computer

• RAM is the fastest memory, therefore, it is an internal memory for the computer.

• The speed of computer depends on RAM, say if the computer has less RAM, it will take more
time to load and the computer slows down.
 How Much RAM Do You Need?
• The system’s RAM requirements depend on what the user is doing. For editing
videos, for instance, a machine should have at least 16 GB of RAM, though
more is preferable.

• A machine needs also have at least 3GB of RAM in order to run Photoshop
CC on a Mac for photo processing, according to Adobe. Even 8GB of
RAM, meanwhile, can cause a slowdown if the user is using many apps at
once

Types of RAM

SRAM DRAM
 SRAM
• SRAM stands for Static Random Access Memory. It is a form
of a semiconductor. It is widely used in microprocessors,
general computing applications and electronic devices.
• The SRAM is volatile in nature that means the data stored in it
gets all wiped out once the power supply is cut.
• SRAM comprised of flip flops. It consist of 4-6 transistors,
once the flip flop stores the. bit it keep it stored until the
opposite bit is stored in it.
 HISTORY of SRAM
• Engineer John Schmidt invented the SRAM in 1964 at
Fairchild Semiconductors. The first SRAM is 64-bit and
uses p-channel MOS.

• Intel released its first 256-bit Intel 1101 SRAM chip in

1969, five years after its invention. But it uses Schottky TTL
(Transistor-Transistor-Logic) architecture for its build.
 Characteristics of SRAM
• The data is held statically: The data is stored statically in SRAM and it
doesn’t need to be refreshed unlike DRAMs.
• The SRAM is a type of Random Access Memory. Random Access Memories are those
from which the data can be accessed (read/write) randomly (means any memory
location can be accessed), regardless of the memory location that was accessed earlier.
.

• It uses flip flop for storing data: It uses flip flops to store bits. Each flip flop
is made up of 4-6 transistors.
• It is used as a Cache Memory in CPU: SRAM is used as cache memory for
CPUs as they are faster and stores data statically.
 Advantages and Disadvantages
• It is faster to access and perform • It is expensive.
operations like read & write. • It is volatile in nature i.e., data is lost
when the memory is not powered.
• The data can be accessed randomly. • It has a low storage capacity.
• It is not possible to refresh the program.
• It is used as a cache memory.
• It has a more complex design and they
• It doesn’t need to be refreshed as it stored are bigger in size as well when
data statically. compared to DRAM.
• It reduces the memory density.
• It has medium power consumption. It
requires less power as compared to DRAM.
 restoring
DRAM m

DRAM
• DRAM stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory A type of random access
memory that stores each bit(0 or 1) of data in a memory cell.
• These memory cells consist of two devices, a tiny capacitor, and a transistor,
both are based on (MOS) technology
 DRAM
• The word “Dynamic” used because DRAM changes its state from 0 to 1 over a period
of time, due to the slow leakage of charge from the capacitor.
• To prevent this, DRAM requires an external memory refresh, which rewrites the data int
the capacitors, restoring them to their original charge. DRAM typically consist of
dozens to billions of DRAM memory cells.
 Characteristics of DRAM
SDRAM synchronizes itself with the system clock
allowing for a faster access time and higher
bandwidth.

DDR SDRAM is another type of DRAM that has an

upper hand over SDRAM. It can transfer more amount of
data per clock cycle as compared to SDRAM. DDR2,
DDR3, and DDR4 are enhancements of DDR SDRAM
for better performance.

Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR) SDRAM

ECC DRAM is a type of DRAM that consists of

additional circuitry for detecting and correcting errors in
memory.
Advantage of DRAM
• DRAM memory can be deleted and refreshed while running the program.
• It is Cheaper as compare to SRAM.
• It has higher storage capacity. Hence it is used to create larger RAM space
system.
• It is simple in structure than SRAM.

Disadvantage of DRAM
• It is comparatively slower than SRAM. Hence it takes more time for accessing

data or information.

• It loses data when power is OFF.

• It has higher power consumption compare to SRAM

 Read Only Memory ( ROM )
In a computer system, memory is a very essential part of the computer system and used to store
information for instant use or permanently. Based on computer memory working features,
memory is divided into two types.
Volatile Memory (RAM)
Volatile memory is a temporary memory. In this memory, the data is stored till the system is
capable of, but once the power of the system is turned off the data within the volatile memory is
deleted automatically.
Non-volatile Memory (ROM)
Non-volatile memory is a type of computer memory that is used to retain stored information
during power is removed.
 Block Diagram of ROM

The input address from which

we wish to retrieve the ROM
content is taken using the k
input lines. Since each of the k input lines can have a value of 0 or 1,
there are a total of 2 k addresses that can be referred to by
these input lines, and each of these addresses contains n
bits of information that is output from the ROM.
ROM Internal Structure
• A circuit known as a decoder converts an encoded
form, such as binary coded decimal, or BCD, into a
decimal form
• As a result, the output is the binary equivalent of the
input. The outputs of the decoder will be the output
of every OR gate in the ROM.

• This read-only memory has 64 words with a 4 bit length.

As a result, there would be four output lines. Since
there are only six input lines and there are 64 words in
this ROM, we can specify 64 addresses or minimum
terms by choosing one of the 64 words that are
available on the output lines from the six input lines.
Each address entered has a unique selected word.
 Features of ROM
• ROM is a non-volatile memory.
• Information stored in ROM is permanent.
• Informationand programs stored on it, we can only read
and cannot modified.
• Information and programs are stored on ROM in binary
format.
• It is used in the start-up process of the computer.
 Types of ROM
• MROM (Masked read-only memory): We know that ROM is as old as
semiconductor technology. MROM was the very first ROM that consists of a
grid of word lines and bit lines joined together transistor switches. This
type of ROM data is physically encoded in the circuit and only be programmed
during fabrication. It was not so expensive.
• PROM (Programmable read-only memory): PROM is a form of digital
memory. In this type of ROM, each bit is locked by a fuse or anti-fuse. The
data stored in it are permanently stored and can not be changed or erasable. It
is used in low-level programs such as firmware or microcode.
 Types of ROM
• EPROM (Erasable programmable read-only memory). EPROM also called
EROM, is a type of PROM but it can be reprogrammed. The data stored in EPROM
can be erased and reprogrammed again by ultraviolet light. Reprogrammed of it is
limited. Before the era of EEPROM and flash memory, EPROM was used in
microcontrollers.

• EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory): As its name

refers, it can be programmed and erased electrically. The data and program of this
ROM can be erased and programmed about ten thousand times. The duration of
erasing and programming of the EEPROM is near about 4ms to 10ms. It is used in
microcontrollers and remote keyless systems.
Advantages and Disadvantages of ROM
Advantages of ROM

• It is cheaper than RAM and it is non-volatile memory.

• It is more reliable as compared to RAM.
• Its circuit is simple as compared to RAM.
• It doesn’t need refreshing time because it is static.
• It is easy to test.

Disadvantages of ROM

• It is a read-only memory, so it cannot be modified.

• It is slower as compared to RAM.
Differences from PROM and EPROM
 EPROM
• EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory.
• It is a memory chip that is non-volatile in
nature that is it can hold the data even after the
power supply is stopped. It can be reused again
and again as it is easily programmable and
erasable.
• In 1967, Dawon Kahng and Simon Sze at Bell
Labs proposed that the floating gate of a
MOSFET(metal-oxide-semiconductor field-
effect transistor) could be used for the cell of a
reprogrammable ROM (read-only memory).
• With this concept in mind, Dov Frohman of Intel
invented EPROM in 1971. Frohman designed
the Intel 1702, a 2048-bit EPROM, which was
announced by Intel in 1971.
MOSFET adalah transistor berbasis
medan yang menggunakan lapisan
semikonduktor tipe N atau P sebagai
kanal pengendali aliran arus listrik.

Struktur MOSFET terdiri dari terminal

gate (G), source (S), dan drain (D), serta
lapisan isolator oksida logam (MOS)
antara gate dan kanal semikonduktor.

Prinsip kerja MOSFET didasarkan pada

kendali medan listrik pada kanal
semikonduktor untuk mengendalikan
aliran arus.
• Ketika tegangan yang sesuai diberikan ke terminal
gate, medan listrik terbentuk di dalam lapisan
semikonduktor, yang mengubah konduktivitas
kanal.

• Ada dua tipe MOSFET yang umum digunakan:

MOSFET tipe enhancement (peningkatan) dan
MOSFET tipe depletion (pemadatan).

• MOSFET tipe enhancement membutuhkan

tegangan gate yang lebih tinggi untuk membuka
aliran arus, sedangkan MOSFET tipe depletion
membutuhkan tegangan gate yang lebih rendah
untuk menutup aliran arus.
 Characteristics
• Each and every EPROM is programmed by electronic devices.
• The data contained in EPROM is erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light.
• EPROM can store data minimum for 10-20 years.
• Erasing window is kept covered to avoid unwanted exposure to UV light to avoid
accidental loss of data.

Advantages Disadvantages
• Easily erasable and programmable. • A particular selected data is not deleted instead whole
• Quite effective – As memory data can be data gets erased which is the cause of worry for the user.
erased again and again for use, therefore • User needs to keep backup as whole data gets erased.
it eliminates the need of other external • It needs UV light to erase the data which is very rare.
memory • Process of erasing data is quite complex.
 EEPROM
• EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory.
• EEPROM is a type of non-volatile primary memory and modified version of
EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) which uses electrical
signals to erase and program the contents rather than UV signals which was
used previously in EPROM.
• It is used as a chip in computers to store the digital data.
• There are two types of EEPROM: Serial EEPROM Parallel EEPROM
 History
• EEPROM was developed in 1978 at Intel by George Perlegos.
• Being a non-volatile memory means it retains all the data even power is off and
stores a large capacity of data or bits compared to EPROM.
• It is used as flash memories in its later version and also, to store BIOS of the
computer.

Characteristic
• Less time consuming: EEPROM takes 5-10 milliseconds to erase the content
electronically unlike, EPROM takes minutes to erase the same content using UV
signals.
• Programmable and erasable content: It can reprogrammed n number of times and that
life cycle has to be defined by the manufacture and it can be maximum of 1 million life
cycles in modern EEPROMs.
• No detaching of chip: To reprogram or erase the content, there is no need to take the chip
out of the computer.
 Advantages
• Fast erasing of data as it uses electrical signals and can erase all contents or can
erase by particular byte.
• Data stored is non-volatile and retains even if the power is off.
• Easy to reprogram without taking it out from computer and does not require
any additional equipments for reprogramming.

Disadvantages
• Data retention problem as insulator used is not a perfect insulator and manufacture
provides data retention up to 10 years.

• It requires different voltages for reading, writing and erasing the content.