ROM and its types

Read-Only Memory (ROM), is a type of electronic storage that comes built in to a

device during manufacturing.

Features of ROM

 Permanent memory.
 Non-volatile memory.
 Can’t be edited.
 Stores important program from system software, regarding functioning of
computer.

Functioning of ROM

ROM stores “firmware,” which is permanent software that’s hard-wired with

integrated circuits. The manufacturer fits a specifically designed ROM chip
into a device during the building process.

, it’s difficult and time-consuming to rewrite a ROM chip’s memory. In most

cases, it’s impossible to alter integrated circuits, which may mean you can’t
update more basic forms of ROM. You may be able to reprogram some modern
types of ROM, but only at slow speeds and with special equipment. These
hurdles make traditional ROM poorly-suited for functions that require frequent
feature updates or are prone to bugs or security issues.

Conventional ROM is pre-programmed to suit its intended hardware. It often

controls functions that are both integral to the utility of the device and unlikely to
need modification or personalization. One kind of data usually stored in a ROM
chip is the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS). A device’s BIOS controls the way
the device responds to cues from the user at the most fundamental level, such as
a computer’s “booting-up” process that occurs when the system powers on.

Types of ROM

-ROM: Classic or “mask-programmed” ROM chips contain integrated circuits. A

ROM chip sends a current through a specific input-output pathway determined by
the location of fuses among the rows and columns on the chip. The current can
only travel along a fuse-enabled pathway and thus can only return via the output
the manufacturer chooses. Rewiring is functionally impossible, and so there’s no
way to modify these types of ROM chips. While producing a template for an
original ROM chip is laborious, chips made according to an existing template can
be much more affordable.

-PROM: Programmable ROM, or PROM , is essentially a blank version of ROM

that you can purchase and program once with the help of a special tool called a
programmer. A blank PROM chip allows current to run through all possible
pathways; the programmer chooses a pathway for the current by sending a high
voltage through the unwanted fuses to “burn” them out. Static electricity can
create the same effect by accident, so PROMs are more vulnerable to damage
than conventional ROMs.

-EPROM: Erasable Programmable ROM  chips allow you to write and rewrite

them many times. These chips feature a quartz window through which a
specialized EPROM programmer emits a specific frequency of ultraviolet light.
This light burns out all the tiny charges in the EPROM to reopen its circuits. This
exposure effectively renders the chip blank again, after which you can reprogram
it according to the same process as a PROM. EPROM chips will eventually wear
out, but they frequently have lifetimes of over 1000 erasures.

 -EEPROM: To modify an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM  chip, apply

localized electrical fields to erase and rewrite the data. EEPROMs have several
advantages over other types of ROM. Unlike the earlier forms, you can rewrite
EEPROM without dedicated equipment, without removing it from the hardware,
and in specifically designated increments. You don’t have to erase and rewrite
everything to make a single edit.

 
RAM (Random Access Memory)

A RAM memory chip is an integrated circuit (IC) made of millions of transistors

and capacitors. In the most common form of computer memory, dynamic
random access memory (DRAM), a transistor and a capacitor are combines to
create a memory cell, which represents a single bit of data.

Features of RAM

 Volatile memory.

 Temporary memory.

 Holds data up to saving.

 Bring required programs when user opens a file.

TYPES OF RAM

STATIC RAM
  Semi conductor memory

 Uses flip flop to store each bit of memory so does not need to be
periodically refreshed

 Fast and consumes low power

 Expensive and has complex structure(6 transistors) so not used for high
capacity applications

DYNAMIC RAM

 Stores each bit of memory in capacitor in an intrgrated circuit

 Real capacitors leak charge so capacitors need to be refreshed

periodically

Simple structure (1 capacitor and 1 transistor per bit) so it has very high density

Secondary Memory

ž It supplements the main memory. It is permanent memory.

ž Programs, data entered into the system, intermediate results and final
results produced are stored in the secondary memory

Concept of SASD and DASD

 A direct-access storage device (DASD) is another name for secondary

storage devices that store data in discrete locations with a unique address,
such as hard disk drives, optical drives and most magnetic
storage devices.

Direct access allows the access of any element directly by locating it by its index

number or address

 The Sequential Access Storage Device (SASD) is a computer storage

device whose content is accessed sequentially, as opposed to directly. For
 example, a tape drive is a SASD, while a disk drive is a Direct Access
Storage Device(DASD).

MAGNETIC DISK

A magnetic disk is a storage device that uses a magnetization process to write, rewrite
and access data. It is covered with a magnetic coating and stores data in the form of
tracks, spots and sectors. Hard disks, zip disks and floppy disks are common examples
of magnetic disks

. Hard Disk

 Hard drives consist of stacks of non-removable platters coated with

magnetic materials – each with its own read/write head as shown in the
photo.

 Hard disk drives are built into desktops and laptops.

 The capacity of a hard disk is measured in gigabytes. It holds much more

data than a CD-ROM. The capacity of a CD-ROM is measured in megabytes.
To find the capacity of the latest hard drive you should look in the latest
computer magazines or search the internet

Floppy Disk

Floppy disks are disks of plastic coated in magnetic material and enclosed in a
hard plastic case. The read/write area is covered by a sliding metal flap.

Although, they used to be very common, as they were a convenient way of

transporting files from one computer to another, they not much used anymore.
Zip drives

Are very similar to floppy disks. They are plastic discs coated with magnetic material.
The difference between them is that zip disks can store much
more. The one shown stores 100MB and you can get them up to
250M

 Magnetic Tape

Made of a long plastic strip coated with magnetic material,

tape is mostly used for making backups.

It can store lots of data, but this data is slower to access,

because of having to wind through to the information you need
slows down he access time. This makes it impractical for use
as main storage

Optical Drives

Optical Drives

These drives use Lasers (light) to read information from disks and in some

cases write information to disks.

There are two main types, CD and DVD disks. They are used more and more, as
increasingly information (music, films etc, software) is only available
on this type of media.

 Digital Versatile Disk - Read Only Memory (DVD ROM)

A DVD-ROM drive is similar to a CD-ROM drive in that it uses a

combination of lasers and sensors to read the data.

DVD ROMs are read only

 Compact Disk - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)

CD-ROM drives use a combination of lasers and sensors to read
the data stored on the surface of the disk

The most common size of CD-ROM is 120 mm in diameter, though

the smaller Mini CD standard with an 80 mm diameter, as well
as shaped compact discs in numerous non-standard sizes and
molds

CD R

"Compact Disc Recordable." CD-R discs are blank CDs that can record data written by
a CD burner. The word "recordable" is used because CD-Rs are often used to record
audio, which can be played back by most CD players. However, many other kinds of
data can also be written to a CD-R, so the discs are also referred to as "writable CDs."

How they function ???

 For rewritable CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, or BD-RE media

 The laser is used to melt a crystalline metal alloy in the recording layer of the
disc.
 Depending on the amount of power applied, the substance may be allowed to
melt back (change the phase back) into crystalline form or left in an amorphous
form, enabling marks of varying reflectivity to be created.

Flash Memory

 Flash memory is a type of electronically erasable programmable read only

memory (EEPROM), but may also be a standalone memory storage device
such as a USB drive. EEPROM is a type of data memory device using an
electronic device to erase or write digital data. Flash memory is a distinct type of
EEPROM, which is programmed and erased in large blocks.
 Flash memory incorporates the use of floating-gate transistors to store data..
 Floating-gate transistors are electrically isolated and use a floating node in
direct current (DC).