Memory Devices
1
Learning Objects
In this lecture you will learn about:
Memory devices
Memory types and their purposes
Storage Hierarchies
Primary/Main memory
Secondary Memory
Memory Units
2
Memory Devices
• A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and
instruction. Computer memory is the storage space in computer
where data is to be processed and instructions required for
processing are stored.
• The memory is divided into large number of small parts. Each
part is called cell. Each location or cell has a unique address
which varies from zero to memory size minus one.
• For example if computer has 64k words, then this memory unit
has 64 * 1024=65536 memory location. The address of these
locations varies from 0 to 65535.
3
Memory types and their purposes
Primarily three types:
1. Cache Memory
2. Primary Memory/Main Memory
3. Secondary Memory
Purposes:
To store data
To store instruction
4
Cache Memory
• Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory
which can speed up CPU.
• It is small and faster Memory which stores copies of the data
from the most frequently used by main memory location.
• It acts as a buffer between the CPU and main memory.
• Actually it is placed between Microprocessor & RAM.
• It stored address of memory location by which
microprocessor don't need to cache its address again and again.
Once Cache Memory Cached that address then RAM and
Microprocessor directly operate it rapidly.
5
Fig: Cache memory in computer system
6
Advantages:
• Cache memory is faster than main memory.
• It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
• It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of
time.
• It stores data for temporary use.
Disadvantages:
• Cache memory has limited capacity.
• It is very expensive.
Uses:
It gives faster access to currently needed data.
• It also reduces average time of accessing memory for RAM
and Microprocessor.
• It is special type of memory which is use to fast access to
microprocessor.
7
Primary Memory (Main Memory)
• Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on
which computer is currently working . It has limited capacity
and data get lost when power is switched off.
• It is generally made up of semiconductor device. These
memories are not as fast as registers. The data and instruction
required to be processed earlier reside in main memory.
Characteristic of Main Memory
• These are semiconductor memories.
• It known as main memory.
• Usually volatile memory.
• Data is lost in case power is switch off.
• It is working memory of the computer.
• Faster than secondary memories.
• A computer cannot run without primary memory.
8
Secondary Memory
• This type of memory is also known as external memory or non-volatile. It is
slower than main memory.
• These are used for storing Data/Information permanently.
• CPU directly does not access these memories instead they are accessed via
input-output routines. Contents of secondary memories are first transferred to
main memory, and then CPU can access it.
For example: harddisk, CDROM, DVD etc.
Characteristic of Secondary Memory
• These are magnetic and optical memories.
• It is known as backup memory.
• It is non-volatile memory.
• Data is permanently stored even if power is switched off.
• It is used for storage of the data in the computer.
• Computer may run without secondary memory.
• Slower than primary memories.
9
Fig: Main Memory (RAM) Fig: Secondary Memory (Hard Disk)
10
COMPUTER - RAM
• A RAM constitutes the internal memory of the CPU for storing
data, program and program result. It is read/write memory. It is
called random access memory (RAM).
• Since access time in RAM is independent of the address to the
word that is, each storage location inside the memory is as easy
to reach as other location & takes the same amount of time.
• We can reach into the memory at random & extremely fast but
can also be quite expensive.
• RAM is volatile, i.e. data stored in it is lost when we switch off
the computer or if there is a power failure. Hence a backup
uninterruptible power system(UPS) is often used with
computers. RAM is small , both in terms of its physical size and
in the amount of data it can hold.
11
RAM is of two types:
• Static RAM (SRAM)
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Static RAM (SRAM)
• The word static indicates that the memory retains its contents as
long as power remains applied. However, data is lost when the
power gets down due to volatile nature.
• SRAM chips use a matrix of 6-transistors and no
capacitors. Transistors do not require power to prevent leakage,
so SRAM need not have to be refreshed on a regular basis.
• Because of the extra space in the matrix, SRAM uses more
chips than DRAM for the same amount of storage space, thus
making the manufacturing costs higher.
12
• Static RAM is used as cache memory needs to be very fast and
small.
Characteristic of the Static RAM
• It has long data lifetime
• There is no need to refresh
• Faster
• Used as cache memory
• Large size
• Expensive
• High power consumption
13
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• DRAM, unlike SRAM, must be continually refreshed in order for it to
maintain the data. This is done by placing the memory on a refresh circuit
that rewrites the data several hundred times per second.
DRAM is used for most system memory because it is cheap and small. All
DRAMs are made up of memory cells. These cells are composed of one
capacitor and one transistor.
Characteristic of the Dynamic RAM
• It has short data lifetime
• Need to refresh continuously
• Slower as compared to SRAM
• Used as RAM
• lesser in size
• Less expensive
• Less power consumption
14
COMPUTER - ROM
• ROM stands for Read Only Memory. The memory from which
we can only read but cannot write on it. This type of memory is
non-volatile. The information is stored permanently in such
memories during manufacture.
• A ROM, stores such instruction as are required to start
computer when electricity is first turned on, this operation is
referred to as bootstrap.
• ROM chip are not only used in the computer but also in other
electronic items like washing machine and microwave oven.
15
Following are the varioys types of ROM
MROM (Masked ROM)
• The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that
contained a pre-programmed set of data or instructions.
• These kind of ROMs are known as masked ROMs. It is
inexpensive ROM.
PROM (Programmable Read only Memory)
• PROM is read-only memory that can be modified only once
by a user. The user buys a blank PROM and enters the
desired contents using a PROM programmer. Inside the
PROM chip there are small fuses which are burnt open
during programming . It can be programmed only once and
is not erasable.
16
EPROM
• The EPROM can be erased by exposing it to ultra-violet light for a
duration of upto 40 minutes. Usually, a EPROM eraser achieves this
function. During programming an electrical charge is trapped in an
insulated gate region. The charge is retained for more than ten years
because the charge has no leakage path. For erasing this charge, ultra-
violet light is passed through a quartz crystal window(lid). This
exposure to ultra-violet light dissipates the charge. During normal use
the quartz lid is sealed with a sticker.
• EEPROM(Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only
Memory)
• The EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased
and reprogrammed about ten thousand times. Both erasing and
programming take about 4 to 10 ms(mili second). In EEPROM, any
location can be selectively erased and programmed. EEPROMs can be
erased one byte at a time, rather than erasing the entire chip. Hence,
the process of re-programming is flexible but slow.
17
Advantages of ROM
• Non-volatile in nature
• These can not be accidentally changed
• Cheaper than RAMs
• Easy to test
• More Reliable than RAMs
• These are static and do not require refreshing
• Its contents are always known and can be verified
18
COMPUTER - MEMORY UNITS
• It is the amount of data that can be stored in the storage unit.
• T he storage capacity are expressed in terms of Bytes.
• Following are the main memory storage units:
19
20