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•MEMORY SYSTEM

•INTERNAL MEMORY
 covered topics

• Definition of internal memory

• Types of internal memory
• Characteristics and hierarchy of internal memory
 Memory
• Computer memory is the storage space in computer where data is to be
processed and instructions required for processing are stored.
• Memory is refers to the physical device used to store sequences of instructions
(programs) or data (e.g program state information) on temporary or permanent
basis for use in a computer or other digital electronic devices.
• Memory is a set of several memory cells known as the building blocks of memory.
• Each memory cell has a unique index number or identification number.
• The CPU is responsible for selecting memory cell to read or write data.
 Types of Computer Memory
• They are basically two types of computer memory:
 Internal/primary memory
 External/secondary memory
 Internal/primary/Main Memory
• Internal memory is the main memory and stores data temporarily in which the
CPU can access it directly.
• As a consequence, the typical computer system is equipped with a hierarchy of
memory subsystems, some internal to the system(directly accessible by the
processor ) and some external (accessible by the processor via an I/O module).
• In earlier computers, the most common form of random – access storage for
computer main memory employed and array of doughnut-shaped
ferromagnetic loops referred to as cores. Hence , main memory was often
referred to as core, a term that persists to this day. The advent of ,and
advantages of microelectronics has long since vanquished the magnetic core
memory. Today the use of semiconductor chips for main memory is almost
universal.
 Cont’d..
• The basic element of a semiconductor memory is the memory cell.
Although a variety of electronic technologies are used , all semiconductor
memory cells share certain properties:
• They exhibit two stable( or semi stable) states, which ca 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.
 Cont’d..
• Most commonly, the cell has three functional terminals capable of carrying an
electrical signal . The select terminal , as the name suggests, select a memory cell
for a read of write operation. The control terminal indicates read of write. For
writing , the other terminal provides an electrical signal that sets the state of the
cell to 1 or 0 . For reading , that terminalis used for output of the cell’s state
Types of Internal Memory
 Internal memory
• Internal memory typically refers to main memory (RAM), but may
also refer to ROM and flash memory. In either case, internal memory
generally refers to chips rather than disks or tapes.
 Types of Internal Memory
 RAM
 ROM
register
 Random Access Memory (RAM)
• The RAM memory is the fastest but is a
volatile memory. That means to retain its
content the RAM memory has to be
provided with a constant power supply.
Once the power supply to this memory chip
is switched off this memory chip loses all its
content.
• It is easy to read data from and write data
into the RAM memory. The data is read or
written into the RAM memory using the
electric signals.
 Further, the RAM memory has two other
forms DRAM and SRAM.
 1.Programmable read-only memory (PROM)

• Programmable read-only memory (PROM) is a type of ROM that

begins as memory with no data on it. A user can write data onto the
chip using a special device called a PROM programmer.
• Like ROM, data is permanent once a user has written it onto the
chip. This type of memory may be useful to programmers who
would like to create specific firmware for a chip and use it to alter
the typical function of a system.
 1.dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• In dynamic RAM (DRAM) the memory cells are
made using capacitors. When the capacitors are
charged the value of that memory cell is considered
as 1 and when the capacitor has discharged the value
of that memory cell is considered as 0. That means
the charged or uncharged capacitor represents the
binary 1 or 0 respectively.
 2.static RAM (SRAM)
• In static RAM (SRAM) the memory cell is implemented using
the two inverters that are cross-connected to form a latch and this
latch in turn is connected to two-bit lines which are connected to
two transistors. Here the transistors act as a switch that can be
closed and opened under the control of the word line.
 The transistors of a memory cell are switched on to perform the read and write
operation on that particular memory cell. Well, both forms of RAM are volatile
and require a continuous supply of power to retain their bit value.
 Read-only memory (ROM)
• Read-only memory (ROM) is a non-volatile
memory which means the memory cells of
this memory chip do not require a power
supply to retain its bit value. As this is a
read-only memory the bit values of this
memory can only be read and not be written
• The
or modified.
ROM memory can be used for
microprogramming, such as for storing library
subroutines, system programs, function tables. The
advantage of this internal memory is that the
required data or the program is always present in
the internal main memory and it is not required to
get the data loaded from any secondary memory
 Cont’d..
On the ROM memory chip, the data or program is embedded during
the chip fabrication so it leads to a large fixed cost whether you are
fabricating a single copy or more. And even there is no scope for an
error of even a single bit as it will ruin the entire batch of ROMS.
Like RAM the ROM also has some other forms such as
programmable ROM, erasable programmable ROM, electrically
erasable programmable ROM, and flash memory.
 2.Erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM)
• Erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) is another type
of ROM chip that users can write data on as well as erase old data
and reprogram it. You can erase the current data by using ultraviolet
(UV) light in the form of a quartz crystal window at the top of the
chip.
• After you've erased the data, you can use the PROM programmer to
reprogram it. You can only erase data from an EPROM chip a certain
number of times because excessive erasing can damage the chip and
make it unreliable for future use.
 3.Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)

• Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)

is the final type of non-volatile ROM chip that usually replaces the
need for PROM or EPROM chips. This type of memory also allows
users to erase and reprogram data onto the chip, but does so using
an electric field and is much quicker at erasing data than the
EPROM. In addition, you can conveniently erase data while the
chip is still inside the computer, whereas EPROM chips need to be
taken out of the computer to erase it.
CHARACTERSTICS AND HEIRARCHY
OF INTERNAL Memory
 Characteristics and hierarchy of Internal
Memory
The computer internal memory can be divided into 3 major hierarchies that are
based on some characteristics, such as on use as well as speed .
These three hierarchies in a system’s memory are :
 Register
 Cache memory &
 Main memory
 Characteristics of memory hierarchy

 The memory hierarchy characteristics mainly include:

 Performance : -
 Ability
 Access Time
 Cost per bit
 Memory Hierarchy design
• Memory hierarchy , in a computer system design , is an enhancement that
helps in organizing the memory so that it actually minimize the access time .
• Internal memory hierarchy design consists of CPU registers , cache memory
and main memory . Which is accessible directly by the processor .

• Registers
• Register is a small and fastest storge unit in which the CPU stores data
temporarily and it also allow the CPU to store and transfer from one
component to another component .
• Usually the register is a static RAM or SRAM in the processor of the
computer which is used for holding the data word which is typically 64 or 128
bits.
• Since there are multiple registers in the CPU with different functionalities ,
each register receives information , holds them temporarily and sends them
to the required location as instructed by the CPU.
 Cont’d

Common registers in internal memory :

 Program Counter (PC) :- holds the address of the next instruction to be

executed .
 Instruction Register (IR):- holds the current instruction that is being
executed .
 Memory Address Register(MAR):- holds the address of active memory
location .
 Memory Buffer Register(MBR):- holds the content of memory location.
 Accumulator Register(AX):- used to store intermediate arithmetic and
logical result.
 Data Register(DR):- holds the numerical data value ,such as integer.
 CACHE MEMORY vs REGISTER vs MAIN MEMORY
 Cache memory is a very high-speed semiconductor memory that is used to
store instances of programs and data frequently accessed by the CPU.
 Cache memory lies in between CPU and primary memory(RAM) and it act as a
buffer between CPU and RAM.
 Cache memory is cheaper, smaller than primary memory.
 It saves time and increases efficiency.
 It provides faster data storage and access to the CPU (10 to 100 faster than
RAM).
 Primary memory is used to hold the programs and related data that are
currently executed by the CPU.
 Cache memory is used to store the data which are frequently used by the CPU.
 While register is a small and fast storage inside the CPU that holds data
temporarily for processing. It is also a high speed memory location in the CPU.
The total number of registers helps to increase the performance of the CPU .
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