Institute of Engineering and Technology

Devi AhilyaVishwavidyalaya, Indore

Department of Information Technology

Computer Hardware Lab (ITR3L1)

A Presentation On
Semiconductor memories,RAM,ROM.PROM,
EPROM,EEPROM,Static and dynamic
Session July-Nov 2018
Submitted To: Submitted By:
Mr. C.P.Patidar Anuj Kashyap(17I313)
Assistant Professor, IT Dept. Ashutosh Chawda(17I314)
IET DAVV Ashutosh Mundra(17I315)
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 Contents
1) Introduction To Semiconductor
Memories
2) RAM and it’s Types
3) DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM & ADRAM
4) ROM and it’s Types
5) PROM, EPROM, EEPROM
6) Flash memory
7) Difference Between RAM & ROM
8) Reference

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 Introduction To
Semiconductor
Memories
 Semiconductor memory is an electronic
data storage device, often used as
computer memory, implemented on a
semiconductor-based integrated circuit.
 Semiconductor memory also has much
faster access times than other types of
data storage
 A byte of data can be written to or read
from semiconductor memory within a few
nanoseconds, while access time for
rotating storage such as hard disks is in
the range of milliseconds .
 For these reasons it is used for main
computer memory (primary storage), to

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 hold data the computer is currently
working on, among other uses.
 In a semiconductor memory chip, each bit
of binary data is stored in a tiny circuit
called a memory cell consisting of one to
several transistors.

Fig.1

Fig.2

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 Example of
Semiconductor memory
 Examples of semiconductor memory
includes Non-volatile memory such as
Read-only memory (ROM),Random Access
Memory (RAM) and flash memory.
 It also includes volatile memory such
as Static Random Access memory and
Dynamic Radom access memory.

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 Fig 3

Page 6
Fig 4

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 RAM-Random Access
Memory
 Random Access Memory, or RAM is the
physical hardware inside a computer that
temporarily stores data , serving as the
computer's "working" memory.
 A RAM memory chip is an Integrated circuit
made of millions of transistors and
capacitors.
 RAM is used for reading and writing data in
any order as required.
 Typically volatile memory
- bits are not held without power supply.

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 Fig 5

Fig 6

Fig 5 and 6 - Picture of RAM

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Fig 7

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 DRAM-Dynamic RAM
 DRAM which uses memory cells consisting
of one capacitor and one transistor to store
each bit.
 Capacitor store each bit of data, and the
level of charge on each capacitor
determines whether that bit is a logical 1 or
0.
 These capacitors do not hold their charge
indefinitely, and therefore the data needs
to be refreshed periodically.
 As a result of this dynamic refreshing it
gains its name of being a dynamic RAM.

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 Fig 8

Fig 9
Fig 8 and 9 - Picture of DRAM

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 TYPES OF DRAM
SDRAM:
 Synchronous dynamic random access
memory takes advantage of the burst mode
concept to greatly improve performance. It
does this by staying on the row containing
the requested bit and moving rapidly
through the columns, reading eachbit as it
goes
DDR SDRAM:
 Double data rate synchronous dynamic
RAM is just like SDRAM except that is has
higher bandwidth, meaning greater speed.
Maximum transfer rate to L2 cache is
approximately 1,064 MBps (for DDR
SDRAM 133 MHZ).

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 SRAM-Static RAM
 Static RAM uses a completely different
technology.
 In static RAM, a form of flip-flop holds each
bit of memory .
 A flip-flop for a memory cell takes 4 or 6
transistors along with some wiring, but
never has to be refreshed.
 This makes static RAM significantly faster
than dynamic RAM.
 Because it has more parts, a static memory
cell takes a lot more space on a chip than a
dynamic memory cell.
 Therefore you get less memory per chip,
and that makes static RAM a lot more
expensive.

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 Fig 10

Fig 11
Fig 10 and 11 - Picture of SRAM

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 SDRAM & ADRAM
 Traditional forms of memory including
DRAM operate in an asynchronous manner.
 They react to changes as the control inputs
change, and also they are only able to
operate as the requests are presented to
them, dealing with one at a time.
 SDRAM is able to operate more efficiently.
 It is synchronised to the clock of the
processor and having a synchronous
interface.

Fig 12

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 Fig 13
Fig 11 and 13 - Picture of SDRAM and ADRAM

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o SRAM is often used only as a memory
cache usually found in the CPU (L1, L2
and L3 Cache)

Fig 14 – CACHE MEMORY

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ROM-Read Only Memory
 A ROM is a form of semiconductor memory
technology used where the data is written
once and then not changed.
 Data stored can only be modified slowly, so
it is mainly used to store firmware or
application software.
 For example the BIOS(Basic Input Output
System) of a computer will be stored in
ROM.
 ROM is a non volatile and primary memory.

Fig 15 – ROM

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 PROM-Programmable
Read Only Memory
 PROM is a semiconductor memory which
can only have data written to it once - the
data written to it is permanent.
 These memories are bought in a blank
format and they are programmed using a
special PROM programmer.
 Typically a PROM will consist of an array of
fusible links which can be adjusted
according to the required data pattern.

Fig 16

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 Fig 17
Fig 16 and 17 - Picture of PROM

EPROM- Erasable
Programmable Read
Only Memory
 This form of semiconductor memory can be
programmed and then erased at a later
time.

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 This is normally achieved by exposing the
silicon to ultraviolet light.
 To enable this to happen there is a circular
window in the package of the EPROM to
enable the light to reach the silicon of the
chip.
 When the PROM is in use, this window is
normally covered by a label, especially
when the data may need to be preserved
for an extended period.

Fig 18

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 Fig 19

Fig 20
Fig 18 , 19 , and 20 - Picture of EPROM

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 Advantages of EPROM
 Reliability
 Stores data permanently
 Moderate price
 Built using integrated circuits, rather than
discrete components.
 Fast: speed is between 35ns and 60ns.

EEPROM- Electrically
Erasable
Programmable Read
Only Memory
 In this type of ROM the data can be
rewritten electrically, while the chip is on
the circuit board, but the writing process is
slow.
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 This type is used to hold firmware, the low
level microcode which runs hardware
devices, such as the BIOS program in most
computers, so that it can be updated.
 Different voltage level needs to be applied
for reading, writing and erasing program
 Working with ROMs and PROMs can be a
wasteful business. Even though they are
inexpensive per chip, the cost can add up
over time.
 EPROM's are configured using an EPROM
programmer that provides voltage at
specified levels depending on the type of
EPROM used.
 Erasing an EPROM requires a special tool
that emits a certain frequency of
ultraviolet (UV) light.

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 Fig 21

Fig 22

Fig 23
Fig 21 , 22 , and 23 - Picture of EPROM

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 Flash memory
 Flash memory may be considered as a
development of EEPROM technology.
 Data can be written to it and it can be
erased, although only in blocks, but data
can be read on an individual cell basis.
 To erase and re-programme areas of the
chip, programming voltages at levels
that are available within electronic
equipment are used. It is also non-volatile,
and this makes it particularly useful.

Fig 24

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 Fig 25

Fig 26
Fig 24 , 25 , and 26 - Picture of Flash
memory

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Difference Between
RAM & ROM

Fig 27

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 Fig 28

Fig 29
Fig 24 , 25 , and 26 - Picture of RAM and ROM

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 Reference
[1] http://wifinotes.com/computer-
networks/computer-networkstypes-of-
computer-memory-html.html . Accessed
on August 31 at 1:00 p.m.
[2]http://computer.howstuffworks.com/q
uestion452.htm. Accessed on August 31
at 2:00 p.m.
[3] http://www.radio-
electronics.com/info/data/semicond/me
mory/different-types-semiconductor-
memory.php. Accessed on August 30at
5:00 p.m.
[4]https://searchstorage.techtarget.com/
definition/RAM-random-access-memory.
Accessed on September 1at 9:30 a.m.

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