Computer Memory

System
Computer Memory System

 The computer memory is one of the most important elements in a computer system.
 It stores data and instructions required during the processing of data and output results.
 Storage may be required for a limited period of time, instantly or for an extended period of time.
 It also relates to many devices that are responsible for storing data on a temporary or a
permanent basis.

Memory Hierarchy
 The hierarchical arrangement of storage in current computer architectures is called the memory
hierarchy.
 The computer uses a hierarchy of memory that is organised in a manner to enable the fastest
speed and largest capacity of memory as shown in figure.
 The memory is characterised on the basis of two key factors; capacity and access time.

Parameters of Memory
 Some related parameters of memory are as follows -:
1. Storage Capacity -: It is representative of the size of memory. The capacity of internal memory
or main memory can be expressed in terms of number of words or bytes.
2. Access Modes -: A memory is comprised of various memory locations. The information from
these memory locations can be accessed randomly, sequentially and directly.
3. Access Time -: The access time is the time required between the desired modes for a read or
write operation till the data is made available or written at the desired location.
4. Physical Characteristics -: In this respect, the devices can be categorised into four main
categories as electronic, magnetic, mechanical and optical.
5. Permanence of Storage -: Its permanence is high for future use in magnetic materials.

Types of Memory
 In general, the memory is classified into two categories as follows -:
1. Primary memory / Main memory
2. Secondary memory / Auxiliary memory

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 Computer Memory System

Primary Memory
 The memory unit that communicates directly with the CPU is called main memory or internal
memory or primary memory. The primary memory allows the computer to store data for
immediate manipulation and to keep track of what is currently being processed. It has limited
storage capacity.
 Main memory is volatile in nature, it means that when the power is turned OFF, the contents of
this memory are lost forever. Primary memory can be further classified in two categories which
are as follows -:

RAM (Random Access Memory) ROM (Read Only Memory)

 Volatile Memory (Changeable).  Non-volatile memory.

 It is also known as read/write memory, that  It is also known as non-volatile memory or permanent
allows CPU to read as well as write data and storage. It does not lose its contents when the power is
instructions into it. switched OFF.
 RAM is used for the temporary storage of  ROM can have data and instructions written to it only one
input data, output data and intermediate time. Once a ROM chip is programmed at the time of
results. manufacturing, it cannot be reprogrammed or rewritten. So, it
 If failure happens, data will be permanently has only read capability, not write.
lose.  Information is stored, even if the component loses power.

3 types of RAM are –: Basic Types of ROM are –:

1. Dynamic RAM (DRAM) 1. Programmable ROM (PROM)
2. Static RAM (SRAM) 2. Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM)
3. Rambus dynamic RAM (RDRAM) 3. Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM)
4. Flash EEPROM

Dynamic RAM (DRAM) Static RAM (SRAM) Rambus Dynamic RAM

 Types of random access  Holds data in static form  Memory is designed to transfer
memory used in computing as long as the device has data at faster rates.
devices. power.  Is made up of RAM, a RAM
 It is made up of memory cells  Provide faster access and controller, and a bus path that
where each cell is composed is more expensive than connects RAM to other
of one capacitor and one DRAM. microprocessors and other PC
transistor.  SRAM needs not be devices.
 Is less expensive to produce refreshed periodically. It
than other RAM. uses multiple transistors
 DRAM must be refreshed for each memory cell.

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 Computer Memory System

continually to store  Highly recommended for

information. use in PCs, printers, LCDs,
 DRAM is slower, less- etc.
expensive and occupies less  SRAM is often used cache
space on the computer’s memory due to its high
motherboard. speed.
 SRAM is more expensive
and faster than DRAM.

Programmable ROM Erasable Programmable Electrically Erasable

(PROM) ROM (EPROM) Programmable ROM (EEPROM)

 Used in digital electronic devices  It can be erased and reused,  Requires data to be written or
to store permanent data. nonvolatile memory. This is erased one byte at a time.
 It is also non-volatile in nature. done with the help of Strong  It is similar to EPROM, but it can
Once a PROM has been UV rays. be erased electrically, then
programmed, its contents can  It is similar to PROM, but it rewritten electrically and the
never be changed. can be erased by exposure to burning process is reversible by
 It is one-time programmable strong ultraviolet light, then exposure to electric pulses.
device. rewritten.  It is the most flexible type of
 These types of memories are  It is also known as Ultraviolet ROM, and is now commonly used
found in video game consoles, Erasable Programmable ROM for holding BIOS.
mobile phones, implantable (UVEPROM).
medical devices and high
definition multimedia interfaces.

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Computer Memory System

Secondary Memory/ Storage

 This memory stores much larger amounts of data and information for extended periods of time.
 Data in secondary memory cannot be processed directly by the CPU, it must first be copied into
primary memory, i.e. RAM.
 It is the slower and cheaper form of memory.
 Secondary storage is used to store data and programs when they are not being processed.
 It is also non-volatile in nature.
 Due to this, the data remain in the secondary storage as long as it is not overwritten or deleted
by the user.
 It is a permanent storage.
Secondary memory devices include as follows -:
Magnetic Storage
 It is the manipulation of magnetic fields on a medium in order to record audio, video or other
data. It includes hard disk drive, floppy disk and magnetic tape.

Some other memory that helps to primary memory

Cache Memory
 Cache memory is a small-sized type of volatile computer memory that provides high-speed data
access to a processor and stores frequently used computer programs, applications and data.
 Cache memory is a very high speed memory placed in between RAM and CPU.
 It increases the speed of processing.
 Cache memory is very expensive, so it is smaller in size.
 Generally, computers have cache memory of sizes 256 KB to 2 MB.
Flash Memory
 It is a kind of semiconductor based non-volatile rewritable memory, used in digital camera, mobile
phone, printer, etc.
Virtual Memory
 It is a technique that allows the execution of processes that are not completely in main memory.
 One major advantage of this scheme is that programs can be larger than main memory.

Optical Storage
 It is any storage type in which data is written and read with a laser. It includes CD, DVD and Blu-
ray disc.
Solid State Storage
 It is a type of storage technique that employs storage devices built using silicon microchip based
storage architecture. It includes pen/flash drive, memory card.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
 It is a non-volatile and random access digital data storage device.

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Computer Memory System

 HDD is a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information using rotating
disks (platters) coated with magnetic material.
 All programs of a computer are installed in hard disk.
 It is a fixed disk i.e. cannot be removed from the drive.
 It consists of a spindle that holds non-magnetic flat circular disks, called platters, which hold the
recorded data.
 Each platter requires two read/write heads, that are used to write and read information from a
platter.
 All the read/write heads are attached to a single access arm so that they cannot move
independently.

Tracks and Sectors

 The information is recorded in bands; each band
of information is called a track.
 Each platter has the same number of tracks and a
track location that cuts across all platters is called
a cylinder.
 The tracks are divided into pie-shaped sections
known as sectors.

Floppy Disk (Diskette)

 It is used to store data but it can store
small amount of data and it is slower to
access than hard disks.
 Floppy disk rounds in shape and a thin
plastic disk coated with iron oxide.
 Data is retrieved or recorded on the
surface of the disk through a slot on the
envelope.
 Floppy disk is removable from the drive.
 Floppy disk is available in three sizes; 8
inch, 5 inch and 3 inch.

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Magnetic Tape
 These tapes are made of a plastic film-type
material coated with magnetic materials to
store data permanently.
 Data can be read as well as recorded. It is
usually 12.5 mm to 25 mm wide and 500 m to
1200 m long.
 Magnetic tapes hold the maximum data,
which can be accessed sequentially.
 They are generally used to store backup data
or that type of data, which is not frequently
used or to transfer data from one system to
another.

Compact Disc (CD)

 It is the most popular and the least expensive type of
optical disc. A CD is capable of being used as a data
storage device alongwith storing of digital audio. The files
are stored on this particular contiguous sectors.
 CDs are categorised into three main types as follows
I. CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)
II. CD-R (Compact Disc- Recordable)
III. CD-RW (Compact Disc- Rewritable)

Digital Video Disc (DVD)

 DVD is also known as Super Density Disc (SDD) or Digital
Versatile Disc (DVD).
 It is an optical disc storage media. DVDs offer higher storage
capacity than CDs while having the same dimensions.
 Depending upon the disc type, DVD can store several
Gigabytes of data (4.7 GB-17.08 GB).
 DVDs are primarily used to store music or 6 movies and can
be played back on your television or computer too. They are
not rewritable media.
 DVDs come in three varieties as follows
I. DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disc-Read Only Memory)
II. 7DVD-R (DVD-Recordable)
III. DVD-RW (DVD-Rewritable)
Computer Memory System

Blu-ray Disc
 It is an optical disc storage medium designed to
re-capture the data normally in DVD format. Blu-
ray disc (BD) contains 25 GB (23.31 GB) per layer
space. The name Blu-ray disc refers to the blue
laser used to read the disc, which allows
information to be stored at a greater density than
the longer- wavelength red laser used in DVDs.
 Blu-ray can hold almost 5 times more data than a
single layer DVD.
 The variations in the formats are as follows -:
I. BD-ROM (Read only)
II. BD-R (Recordable)
III. BD-RW (Rewritable)
IV. BD-RE (Rewritable)

Pen/Thumb Drive
 Pen drive is also known as flash drive. A flash
drive is a data storage device that consists of
flash memory (key memory) with a portable USB
(Universal Serial Bus) interface. USB flash drives
are typically removable, rewritable and much
smaller than a floppy disk.
 Today, flash drives are available in various
storage capacities as 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 4GB,
16GB upto 64 GB. They are widely used as an
easy and small medium to transfer and store the
information from the computers.

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Memory Cards
 These are the data storage devices in a chip
shaped which can store the data in it.
 They are commonly used in electronic devices
like digital cameras, mobile phones, laptop
computers.
 They are small, re-recordable, easily portable and
very light weighted.

 Secondary Memory Devices and their Storage method and Capacity are as follows -:

Basic Units of Memory Measurements

 1 Bit = Binary Digit (0 or 1)
 4 Bits = 1 Nibble = half Byte
 8 Bits = 1 Byte = 2 Nibble
 1024 Bytes = 1 KB (Kilo Byte)
 1024 KB = 1 MB (Mega Byte)
 1024 MB = 1 GB(Giga Byte)
 1024 GB = 1 TB(Tera Byte)
 1024 TB = 1 PB(Peta Byte)
 1024 PB = 1 EB(Exa Byte)
 1024 EB = 1 ZB(Zetta Byte)
 1024 ZB = 1 YB (Yotta Byte)
 1024 YB = 1 (Bronto Byte)

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 1024 BB = 1 (Geop Byte)

 Bit is the smallest memory measurement unit.
 GeopByte is the highest memory measurement unit.
 A byte can represent 256 (0-255 or 28) distinct values.

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