Understanding Semiconductor Memory Types
Learn about different types of semiconductor memory including SRAM, DRAM, EPROM, ROM, and more. Explore memory organization, design, and advancements in DRAM technology.
Understanding Semiconductor Memory Types
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Presentation Transcript
Semiconductor Memory Types Today’s technology: 1 Gigabit / sq in In R&D: 100 Gigabits / sq in
Semiconductor Memory (DRAM) 16Mbit DRAM
Static RAM (SRAM) • Desired for main memory • Used in cache • Basically an array of flip-flops • Simple to interface and control • Fast • Relatively low density - complex • Relatively expensive
Memory Organization • A 16Mbit chip can be organised as 1M of 16 bit words • A bit per chip system has 16 lots of 1Mbit chip with bit 1 of each word in chip 1 and so on • A 16Mbit chip can be organised as a 2048 x 2048 x 4bit array • Reduces number of address pins • Multiplex row address and column address • 11 pins to address (211=2048) • Adding one more pin doubles range of values so x4 capacity
Memory Design – 1K x 4 A[00:09] D[03:00] Addr Block Select
Memory Design – 1K x 8 D[07:04] D[03:00] A[00:09] A[00:09] D[07:04] D[03:00] Addr BlockSelect => Addr Block Select =>
Memory Design - 2k x 8 D[07:04] D[03:00] Block 00 Block 01
Memory Design - 4k x 8 D[07:04] D[03:00] Block 00 Block 01 Block 10 Block 11
22 x 3 Memory word select word WE input bits address write enable address decoder output bits
22 x 3 Memory word select word WE input bits address write enable address decoder output bits
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) • Used in main memory • Bits stored as charge in capacitors Essentially analog device Charges leak • Need refreshing even when powered Need refresh circuits • Higher density (more bits per chip) • Slower than Static RAM • Less expensive
Read Only Memory (ROM) • Permanent storage • Nonvolatile • Microprogramming (will address later) • Library subroutines • Systems programs (BIOS) • Function tables • Controllers
Types of ROM • ROM: Written during manufacture • Very expensive for small runs • PROM: Programmable (once) • Needs special equipment to program • Read “mostly” • EPROM: Erasable Programmable • Erased by UV (All of chip!) • Flash memory • Whole blocks of memory stored/changed electrically • EEPROM: Electrically Erasable • Takes much longer to write than read (lower density)
Semiconductor Memory 16Mbit DRAM
Refreshing • Refresh circuit is included on the chip • Count through rows • Read & Write back • Chip must be disabled during refresh • Takes time • Occurs asynchronously • Slows down apparent performance
Improvements in memory RAM – continually gets denser. DRAM – Several improvements: SDRAM – synchronous DRAM DDR-SDRAM - doubles transfer speed RDRAM – asynchronous one transfer per clock cycle
Comparison of improved DRAM Conventional DRAM – 40 to 100 MB/S transfer rate?
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) • Access is synchronized with an external clock • Address is presented to RAM • RAM finds data (CPU waits in conventional DRAM) • Since SDRAM moves data in time with system clock, CPU knows when data will be ready • CPU does not have to wait, it can do something else • Burst mode allows SDRAM to set up stream of data and fire it out in block • DDR-SDRAM sends data twice per clock cycle (leading & trailing edge)
DDR SDRAM • SDRAM can only send data once per clock • Double-data-rate SDRAM can send data twice per clock cycle • Rising edge and falling edge
RAMBUS • Adopted by Intel for Pentium & Itanium • Main competitor to SDRAM • Separate bus (hence the name RAMBUS) • maximum 12 centimeter length bus ! • Bus addresses up to 320 RDRAM chips • at 1.6Gbps • Asynchronous block protocol • Precise control signal timing • 480ns access time