Unit 3:

Computer
Memory
Introduction
Definition:-
The unit which are used to store data, information, programs and its instruction either temporarily or
permanently is called memory. Computer memory refers to devices that are used to store data or
programs (sequences of instructions) on a temporary or permanent basis for use in an electronic
digital computer. Computers represent information in binary code, written as sequences of 0s and
1s.For example RAM, ROM, Hard Disk, CD/DVD etc.
 Computer Memory representation
The computer memory stores different kinds of data like input data, output data, intermediate results,
etc., and the instructions. Binary digit or bit is the basic unit of memory. A bit is a single binary digit,
i.e., 0 or 1. A bit is the smallest unit of representation of data in a computer. However, the data is
handled by the computer as a combination of bits. A group of 8 bits form a byte. One byte is the
smallest unit of data that is handled by the computer. One byte can store 2 to power 8, i.e., 256
different combinations of bits, and thus can be used to represent 256 different symbols. In a byte, the
different combinations of bits fall in the range 00000000 to 11111111. A group of bytes can be further
combined to form a word. A word can be a group of 2, 4 or 8 bytes.

Memory Representation
Internal Process
• 1 Byte = 8 Bits
• 1 KB = 1024 Bytes
• 1 MB = 1024 KB = 1048576 Bytes Memory Primary
• 1 GB = 1024 MB = 1073741824 Bytes
• 1 TB = 1024 GB = 1099511627776 Bytes Secondary
Memory Hierarchy
Computer Memory

Main memory
Auxiliary memory
(Primary Memory)
(Secondary memory)

Sequential Access Direct Access

Volatile Non-Volatile Devices Devices
(RAM) (ROM)

Magnetic Tape Magnetic Disk Optical Disk

SRAM DRAM
PROM EPROM EPROM
CD-ROM DVD Disk

SDRAM RDRAM DDR-RAM

Floppy Disk Hard Disk

Fig: Memory Structure

Primary Memory

RAM

Primary
Memory

ROM

1. RAM
 It is volatile in nature and loses all its content once the power of the computer is turned off. Hence RAM
is used for storing the data and instructions only during the processing. Unlike Secondary form of
memory, it is faster in data transfer. It is internal memory. It is also called Read/ Write memory as it can
perform both read and write operations

Static RAM

RAM

Dynamic RAM
 Static RAM
 In this type of RAM data is stored only until the power of the computer is on. It uses numbers of transistors to store a
single bit of data. Based on the functioning nature it can be further classified as:

 Asynchronous SRAM
It performs operations without the use of system clock. It makes use of three signals for working.

 Synchronous SRAM
It works in association with the system clock. Therefore, it is also known as synchronous SRAM. It is used with high-
speed applications as the read and write cycles are synchronized with the clock cycle of the processor. The access waiting
time gets reduced after the read and write cycle are synchronized.

 Pipeline synchronous SRAM

It uses the pipeline technology in which a large amount of data is broken up into different packets containing data. These
packets are arranged in sequential manner in pipeline form and are sent to the processor simultaneously. It can handle large
amount of data at a very high speed. In fact, it is the fastest form of SRAM.
 Dynamic RAM
 In this type of RAM, data is stored in a storage cell consisting of transistors and capacitors. Unlike SRAM, DRAM
needs to be refreshed continuously with power supply because the capacitor has tendency to get discharged. DRAM is
of four types.
 Synchronous DRAM
It performs operation in association with the system clock cycle. It is used with the processor for storing data continuous
manner. Continuous form of data storage helps in processing a greater number of instructions per unit time which
ultimately increases the speed of data transfer.
 Rambus DRAM
It contains multiple address and data line that helps in increasing the data access speed. It is faster than Synchronous
DRAM.
 Extended Data Out DRAM
It can access more than a bit of data at a time which helps in increasing data access rate. It allows to perform various tasks
at a time such as read and write.
 Fast Page Mode DRAM
It makes use of paging in which read and write operation is performed by selecting the address of data from rows and
columns of the matrix.
2. ROM
ROM stores data permanently. This means unlike RAM; it can retain data even after the computer is turned
off. Generally, contents of ROM cannot be erased, modified or changed. Devices such as calculator, laser
printer, etc. uses ROM. It allows sequential access of data. It is divided into four types :

PROM

EPROM

ROM
EEPROM

Flash Roam
  Programmable ROM (PROM)
It is a memory chip on which write operation can be performed only once. The data on this ROM is written permanently
and cannot be erased afterwards. The writing process on such ROM is called ‘Burning ROM’. It is mostly used in video
games and electronic dictionaries.

 Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM)

In such type of ROM, data can be erased or destroyed using Ultra-Violet (UV) rays. In such, facility of changing the
content is available. It facilitates the storage of data for longer terms.

 Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM)

It is the type of ROM in which data can be erased or destroyed electrically with the means of electric charge. Here, data
can be written or read at the rate of one bit per unit time which makes it slow.

 Flash ROM (FROM)

It is a variation of EEPROM that uses floating gate transistors which can store data for a longer period of time. It is mainly
used in mobile phones, digital cameras, etc. It is the fastest form of ROM. It uses continuous memory cells for storing data.
It is of two types.
 NAND Flash ROM
 NOR Flash ROM
Secondary Memory/ Storage System
Magnetic Storage System
1. Magnetic Tapes
They are plastic tapes with magnetic coating that are used for data storage. They are similar to normal
recording tapes which can be used for storing audio and video. Data can be accessed sequentially.

Advantages:
 low cost and high storage
 easily transportable
 easy to handle and store

Disadvantages:
 low data transmission due to sequential transmission
 low life duration
 required protected environment for storage
2. Magnetic Disks
It is a flat disk covered with magnetic coating for holding information. It is used to store digital
information in the form of small and magnetized needles. It is large in storage size and cheaper than
RAM. It allows random access of data and provides the facility of erasing and recording data as many
times as required.
Advantages:
 High storage capacity and low cost
 Easy and direct access to data
 Less prone to corruption of data compared to magnetic tapes
Disadvantage:
 Prone to physical damage since it has physical moving part
 Slower than SSDs
3. Magneto-Optical System
It includes the features of both optical and magnetic disks. Its main objective is to store the data in
personal computers for longer period. It performs R/W operation by making use of laser and optical
technology. It has ferro magnetic particles enclosed in plastic coating. The laser beam used for R/W
operation gets reflected due to magnetic surface of the disk.
It is slower in speed but it’s manufacturing cost is high.
E.g: SonyMini Disk
4. Optical Storage System
This storage system uses the laser light as the optical medium to retrieve as well as record data.
Example: CD-ROM, DVD, CR-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW
They are non-volatile and reliable compare to magnetic tapes.

Advantages:
 Large storage capacity
 Longer life-span than magnetic tapes
 Low ‘cost-per-bit’ for storage
 Portable

Disadvantages:
 Prone to scratches which could disturb or totally prevent the driver to perform R/W operations
5. Solid State Drive (SSD)
It is the device that contain all the properties of hard drive to store the data and uses the solid- state memory which has
no moving part. It uses semiconductors to store data. Its main principle is to process data electronically. Since it has no
mechanical moving part, the data access time is faster than that in HDD.

Advantages:
 Better performance – high access speed, random access of data, faster R/W operation
 Low power consumption and heat generation
 Highly reliable
 Small dimension/ compact size

Disadvantages:
 High cost
 Lower capacity
 Low storage density
 Vulnerable – data loss, affected by power loss, electrostatic discharges and magnetic fields
6. Floppy Disk:

 Floppy disk is a round, flat piece of flexible plastic coated with magnetic oxide. These are small
removal, media storage device. The data is recorded on thin plastic film. Floppy disk is a soft
magnetic disk and it is a thin piece of flexible plastic called floppy disk, or also called floppy
Diskette .They are removable disks.
 A floppy disk is inserted inside the computer the floppy drive when needed. These are different sizes
of floppy disk 5.25” or 3.5” having capacity 1.2MB and 1,44MB respectively.
THE END