SEMICONDUCTOR MAIN MEMORY

ORGANISATION
The

basic element of a
semiconductor memory is the
memory cell
They

exhibit two stable states,

which can be used to represent
binary 1 and 0.
They are capable of being written
into (at least once), to set the state.
They are capable of being read to
sense the state.
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SEMICONDUCTOR
MEMORY
TYPES

MEMORY
TYPE
Random
Access
Memory
(RAM)
Read Only
Memory
(ROM)
Programmabl
e ROM
(PROM)

CATEGOR
Y
Readwrite
memory

Electrically
, byte
Electrically
level

VOLATILITY

Volatile

Masks
Read-only Not
memory
possible

Erasable
PROM
(EPROM)
Electrically
Erasable
PROM(EEPRO
4
M)

ERASURE

WRITE
MECHANIS
M

UV light,
chip level
Readmostly
memory

Electrically Electrically
, byte
level

Non
Volatile

Random Access Memory-RAM

Most common semiconductor memory.
Possible both to read data from the
memory and to write new data into the
memory easily and rapidly.
Reading and writing are accomplished
through the use of electrical signals.
Volatile, that is it must be provided with a
constant power supply. If the power is
interrupted, then the data are lost.
Can be used only as temporary storage.

TYPES OF
RAM
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1. Dynamic RAM-DRAM
Made

with cells that store data as charge

on capacitors.
The presence or absence of charge in a
capacitor is interpreted as a binary 1 or 0.
Require periodic charge refreshing to
maintain data storage.
The term dynamic refers to this tendency
of the stored charge to leak away, even
with power continuously applied.
Essentially an analog device.
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2. Static RAM-SRAM
Binary

values are stored using

traditional flip-flop logic-gate
configurations
A static RAM will hold its data as long
as power is supplied to it.
SRAM chips use a matrix of 6transistors and no capacitors.
Transistors do not require power to
prevent leakage, so SRAM need not
have to be refreshed on a regular
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basis.

SRAM versus DRAM

SRAM

DRAM

1.

It has long life

1.

It has short data lifetime

2.

Digital Device

2.

Analog Device

3.

There is no need to refresh

3.

Need to be refreshed continuously

4.

Faster

4.

Slower as compared to SRAM

5.

Used as cache memory

5.

Used as RAM-main memory.

6.

Large size

6.

Lesser in size

7.

Expensive

7.

Less expensive

8.

High power consumption

8.

Less power consumption

Read Only Memory-ROM

Contains a permanent pattern of data that

cannot be changed.
Nonvolatile; that is, no power source is
required to maintain the bit values in memory.
Not possible to write new data into it.
Applications:

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Micropramming
Library subroutines for frequently wanted
functions
System programs
Function tables

TYPES OF
ROM
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1. PROM
When

only a small number of ROMs with a

particular memory content is needed, a less
expensive alternative is the
programmable ROM (PROM).
Nonvolatile and may be written into only
once.
Writing process is performed electrically
and may be performed by a supplier or
customer at a time later than the original
chip fabrication.
Provide flexibility and convenience.
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PROM versus ROM

The difference between a PROM
and a ROM (read-only memory) is
that a PROM is manufactured as
blank memory, whereas a ROM is
programmed during the
manufacturing process.
To write data onto a PROM chip,
you need a special device called a
PROM programmer or PROM burner.
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When read operations are far more

frequent than write operations but for
Flash Memory
EPROM
Read-mostly
EEPROM
Memory
which
nonvolatile
storage is required,
then read-mostly memory is used.

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2. EPROM
Read and written electrically.
Before a write operation, all the storage
cells must be erased to the same initial
state by exposure of the packaged chip to
ultraviolet radiation.
Can be altered multiple times
Non Volatile.
More expensive than PROM
Has the advantage of the multiple update
capability.

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3. EEPROM
More commonly used.
Can be written into at any time without
erasing prior contents; only the byte or
bytes addressed are updated.
The write operation takes considerably
longer than the read operation.
Combines the advantage of non-volatility
with the flexibility of being updatable in
place, using ordinary bus control, address,
and data lines.
More expensive.
16Less dense, supporting fewer bits per chip.

3. Flash Memory

So named because of the speed with which it can

be reprogrammed.
First introduced in the mid-1980s,
Intermediate between EPROM and EEPROM in
both cost and functionality.
Like EEPROM, flash memory uses an electrical
erasing technology.
In addition, it is possible to erase just blocks of
memory rather than an entire chip.
Like EPROM, flash memory uses only one
transistor per bit, and so achieves the high
density of EPROM.
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Thank you.

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