Memory Concept

Memories are made up of registers. Each register in the memory is one storage location also
called memory location.

Memory Concept

• Memories are made up of registers. Each register in the memory is one storage location also
called memory location.

• Each memory location is identified by an address. The number of storage locations can vary
from a few in some memories to hundreds of thousand in others. Each location can accommodate
one or more bits.

• Generally, the total number of bits that a memory can store is its capacity. Most of the types the
capacity is specified in terms of bytes (group of eight bits).

• Each register consists of storage elements (flip-flops or capacitors in semiconductor memories

and magnetic domain in magnetic storage), each of which stores one bit of data. A storage
element is called a cell.

• The data stored in a memory by a process called writing and are retrieved from the memory by
a process called reading. Fig. 5.1.1 illustrates in a very simplified way the concept of write, read,
address and storage capacity for a generalized

memory.

• As shown in the Fig. 8.1.1 a memory unit stores binary information in groups of

bits called words. A word in memory is an entity of bits that moves in and out of storage as a
unit. A word having group of 8-bits is called a byte. Most computer memories use words that are.
multiples of eight bits in length. Thus, a 16-bit word contains two bytes, and a 32-bit word is
made of 4-bytes.

• The communication between a memory and its environment is achieved through data lines,
address selection lines, and control lines that specify the direction of transfer.

• The Fig. 8.1.2 shows the block diagram of memory unit. Then data lines provide the
information to be stored in memory and the k address lines specify the particular word chosen
among the many available. The two control inputs specify the direction transfer.

• When there are k address lines we can access 2k memory words. For example, if k = 10 we can
access 210 = 1024 memory words.

Illustrative Examples

Example 8.1.1 A bipolar RAM chip is arranged as 16 words. How many bits are stored in the
chip?

Solution: 16 x 8 = 128 bits Therefore one word = 8 bits.

Example 8.1.2 How many address bits are needed to operate a 2 K × 8 ROM ?

Solution: 2 K memory locations = 2048 locations

Since 211=2048, we need 11 address lines.

Example 8.1.3 How many locations are addressed using 18 address bits?

Solution: The number of locations addressed = 218 = 262144

Characteristics of Memory

• The Table 8.1.1 lists the key characteristics of memory systems.

Physical characteristics :

Volatile/Nonvolatile If memory can hold data even if power is turned off, it is called. nonvolatile
memory; otherwise it is called volatile memory.

Erasable/Nonerasable The memories in which data is once programmed cannot be erased are
called nonerasable memories. On the other hand, if data in the memory is erasable then memory
is called erasable memory.

The Table 8.1.2 shows the characteristics of some common memory technologies.

Characteristics of some common memory technologies

Distinguish between volatile and non-volatile memories

• The processor of a computer can usually process instructions and data faster than they are
fetched from the memory unit. The memory cycle time, then is the bottleneck in the system. One
way to avoid this bottleneck is to use a cache memory. Cache memory is a small, fast memory
that is inserted between the larger, slower main memory and the processor. It usually holds the
currently active segments of a program and their data.

• In most modern computers, the physical main memory is not as large as the address space
spanned by an address issued by the processor. Here, the virtual memory technique is used to
extend the apparent size of the physical memory. It uses secondary storage such as disks, to
extend the apparent size of the physical memory.
Classification of Primary Memory

• The memory devices can be classified based on following parameters:

• Principle of operation

• Physical characteristics

• Mode of access and

• Terminology used for fabrication.

• The Fig. 8.1.3 shows the classification of memory.

• Broadly semiconductor memories are classified as volatile memories and non-volatile

memories. Volatile memories can retain their state as long as power is applied. On the other
hand, non-volatile memories can hold data even if power is turned off.

• Read/Write Memories (RWMs) are those memories, which allows both read and write
operations. They are used in applications where data has to change continuously. They are also
used for temporary storage of data. ROM memories allow only read operation. They are used to
store monitor programs and constants used in the program.
• The volatile memories which can hold data as long as power is ON are called Static RAMS
(SRAMs). Dynamic RAMS (DRAMs) stores the data as a charge on the capacitor and they need
refreshing of charge on the capacitor after every few milliseconds to hold the data even if power
is ON.

• EPROM and EEPROM are erasable memories in which the stored data can be erased and new
data can be stored.

• The semiconductor memories are also classified as Bipolar and MOS memories depending
upon the type of transistors used to construct the individual cell.

Classification of Secondary Memory

• A primary memory is costly and has a limited size. This memory is mainly used for storing the
currently processing data.

• Secondary storage is used to store data and instructions (programs) when they are not being
processed.

• The devices those are used as secondary storage are non-volatile and have a larger storage
capacity. Also, they are less expensive as compared to primary storage devices.

• However, they are slower in comparison. The examples are hard disks, floppies, CD-ROMs,
magnetic tapes etc. This type of memory is also called secondary memory, auxiliary memory or
peripheral storage.

• Fig. 8.1.4 shows the classification of secondary storage devices. They can be categorized
broadly according to their access types as sequential and random (direct).
Review Questions

1. Define a memory cell. Give an example.

2. Define a 'memory location' and a 'cell'.

3. Write a short note on semiconductor memories.

4. State various characteristics of memory devices and explain in brief any two.

5. Distinguish between volatile and non-volatile memories.

6. Explain the key characteristics of computer memory systems in details.

7. Explain the various characteristics of memory system.

8. Classify memories on the basic of principle of operation, physical characteristics, mode of

access and fabrication technology.

9. Give the classification of semiconductor memories.

10. Which memory is called volatile? Why?

11. Explain static memory.

12. Give the classification of primary memory.