Commonly Used Memory Chips, ROM As A PLD: Duration: 60 Min Digital Electronics Branch: EE 2022-26
Commonly Used Memory Chips, ROM As A PLD: Duration: 60 Min Digital Electronics Branch: EE 2022-26
Memory Device:
Memory Unit:
Memory unit is a collection of cells capable of storing a
large quantity of binary information.
Memory word: group of 1’s and 0’s and may represent a number, character(s), instruction, or other
binary-coded information.
Most computer memories use words that are multiples of 8 bits (byte ).
32-bit word -> 4 bytes
Random- Access Memory
Each word in memory is assigned an address 0 up to 2𝑘 – 1 (k = # of address lines).
Integrated circuit RAM units are available in two possible operating modes: static and dynamic.
Static RAM (SRAM) consists of internal latches that store the binary information. The stored
information remains valid as long as power is applied to the unit.
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) stores the binary information in the form of electric charges on capacitors
provided by the MOS transistors. The charge on the capacitors tends to decay with time and the
capacitors must be periodically recharged by refreshing of the dynamic memory every few milliseconds.
• RAM (static and dynamic) is said to be volatile, since information is lost when
power is turned off.
• Non-volatile memory retains its information even when power is turned off.
To write to EPROM, you need a special device called a PROM Programmer or PROM
burner (programmer). An EPROM differs from a PROM in that a PROM can be written
to only once and cannot be erased.
EPROMs are widely used in personal computers since they enable the manufacturer
to change the contents of the PROM before the computer is actually shipped. This
means that bugs can be removed and new versions installed shortly before delivery.
EEPROMS and FLASH
Virtual Memory?
With virtual memory, the computer can look for areas of RAM that have not been
used recently and copy them onto the hard disk. This frees up space in RAM to load
the new application. Because it does this automatically, you don't even know it is
happening, and it makes your computer feel like is has unlimited RAM space even
though it has only 1 GB installed
RAM Memory Cell
The storage part of the cell is modeled by an SR latch with associated gates.
A 1 in the read/write input provides the read operation by forming a path from the
latch to the output. A 0 in the read/write input provides the write operation by
forming a path from the input to latch.
4 X 4 RAM
WRITE operation: the data available in the input lines are transferred into the four
binary cells of the selected word. The memory cells that are not selected are disabled.
READ Operation: the four bits of the selected word go through OR gates to the output
terminals.
Commercial RAM
The idea of two-dimensional decoding is to arrange the memory cells in an array that
is as close as possible to square. Use two k/2-input decoders instead of one k-input
decoder. One decoder performs the row selection and the other the column selection
in a two dimensional matrix configuration.
The number of words in a ROM is determined from the k address input lines needed
to specify the 2𝑘 words.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
A 32 x 8 ROM consists of 32 words of 8 bits each. The five input lines are decoded by
into 32 distinct outputs (memory addresses) using a 25 x 8 decoder. Each OR gate has
32 input connections -> 32 x 8 ROM has internal connections 32 x 8. In general,
a 2𝑘 x n ROM will have k x 2𝑘 decoder and n OR gates with 2𝑘 x n internal
connections.
memory.
• For 256K words, we need 18
address lines.
➢ The two most significant
address lines go to the
decoder, which selects one of
the four 64K x 8 RAM chips.
➢ The other 16 address lines
are shared by the 64K x 8
chips.
• The 64K x 8 chips also share WR
and DATA inputs.
• This assumes the 64K x 8 chips
have three-state outputs. 8