Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences

Prayagraj, U.P

Assignment on "Semiconductor Memory"

Submitted to: Dr. Vipul Singh

Submitted by: Shashi Kumar ID: 20MSPHY002

An Overview...
∙ ROM
• PROM
• EPROM
∙ RAM
• STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (SDRAM)
• DYNAMIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (DRAM)

∙ CONTENT ADDRESSABLE MEMORY

• BINARY CAM
• TERNARY CAM
Read Only Memory
(ROM)

ROM is used only for performing Read operation.

ROM is a non-volatile memory i.e., the information
stored on the memory will not get erased even after
power is turned off. That's why we have
permanent programs (e.g.: Operating System
programs) in ROM. Therefore, ROM is called
as program memory.
Erasable and
Programmable Read
Only Memory (EPROM)

EPROM chips can be erased and rewritten a no. of times.

Stored data in the EPROM can be erased by exposing the
chip to ultraviolet light through its quartz window for 15 to
20 minutes (before erasing the data we have to remove the
IC from its socket.)

In EPROM, we cannot erase selective information, once

something gets erased the entire information is lost.
The chip can be reprogrammed. EPROM is ideally
suitable for products and college laboratories since this chip
can be reused many times. In EPROM, it is possible to
program any location at any time, either individually,
sequentially, or at random. These kind of memory devices
are generally used to store firmware programs which
demand frequent upgrades.
Programmable Read
Only Memory (PROM)

The PROM chip comes 'blank' and can be

programmed only once by a user.
Fig. shows 4-byte PROM. It has diodes in every bit
position, therefore, the output is initially all 0's.
Each diode inside the circuit has a fusible link
connected in series with it. The fuse can be blown
out by addressing the bit and applying proper
current pulse at the corresponding output, hence,
storing logic 1 at that bit position. The PROMs are
one time programmable. Once programmed, the
information stored is permanent.
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

There are two basic types of RAM as given below:

∙ Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
∙ Static RAM (SRAM)
Dynamic RAM

It is dynamic in nature/operation. The

stored information, DATA is lost in a very
short time, it can be in order of milliseconds
depending upon the design and
specifications and internal structure. It is a
cheaper and slower memory device. It is made up
using semiconductor device technology. Millions of
pn- junction transistors and capacitors are used in
making the Dynamic Random Access Memory. It
requires periodically refresh as the capacitors get
discharged.
Operation of DRAM

DRAM is an Integrated Circuit (IC) and the

most basic form of computer memory, Inside
the DRAM, Dynamic Memory Cell,
represents a single bit of data. The capacitor
holds the bit of information – a 0 or a 1. The
charged state of capacitor is taken as
binary“1”(one) and the discharged state as
“0”(zero). Due to leakage of capacitors, refresh is
required. The pn -junction transistors act as a
switch. For DRAM to work, it is to be recharged
before they get discharged. The DRAM loses the
data if it does not get refresh operation.
Static RAM

Static RAM is a memory device in which the

information or the data stored in it remains
protected unless and until the power supply
is removed. It is costlier than the DRAM and it
consumes more power. It has higher working speed
than DRAM.
SRAM made up of different technology than that of
DRAM. This retains stored information only as
long as the power supply is on. Static RAM’s are
costlier and consume more power. They have
higher speed than D-RAMs.
Operation of SRAM

A Flip Flop is used in static RAM, which

holds each bit of memory that is binary 1 or
0. It does not require refresh operation. A
number of transistors are used in flip-flop for a
Memory Cell which never has to be refreshed. This
is the main reason why static RAM is significantly
faster than dynamic RAM.
Why don't we use Static RAM in
place of Dynamic RAM?
Why don't we use Static RAM in
place of Dynamic RAM?

Reason:
Trying to replace your computer's main memory (Containing DRAM chips)
with SRAM would be expensive, use a lot of power, and would not do much
good because the main bottleneck limiting the speed of that memory
is not in the memory chips themselves, but in the relatively low-density, slow
interconnections between the DRAM chips and the processor.
Basic Difference between RAM and ROM

∙ RAM and ROM have basic properties as data storage memory device.
∙ Data is lost from RAM when the power is turned off. The data in ROM are retained even after
the power is switched off.
∙ Data access in RAM is faster than that of ROM. RAM allows the device to READ and
WRITE the data randomly.
∙ Normal operation output data can be stored in RAM. The ROM stores the instruction for the
operation of the Device such as booting instructions.
Content Addressable
Memory (CAM)

Content-addressable memory (CAM) is silicon chip

architecture that is purpose-built for extremely fast but
very specific type of memory lookups. Lookups using a
CAM is conceptually similar to associative array logic
in data structures but the output are highly
simplified. When key is passed to a CAM sub-system
it returns the associated value to that key. As a result
a “key -> value” pair is created that can be referenced
further as an object. The most important feature is that
a lookup of an entry in a CAM can be performed in a
single clock cycle in the silicon. Compare this with a
RAM module that requires multiple clock cycles to
make a single memory fetch.
Difference between RAM and CAM

∙ Random Access Memory (RAM) performs lookups using a memory address and which then
returns the data from the address. CAM lookups do the opposite. A function calls the CAM by
passing a key that consists of data word structure and the CAM lookup returns memory
addresses. CAM further differentiates itself from different types of memory in that it can do
memory lookups in one clock cycle. This is the most common way to accommodate hardware
search ASICs.
 Types of CAM

There are two common types of CAM in switches –

∙ Binary CAM
∙ Ternary CAM
Binary CAM

• Binary CAM performs a binary lookup and

returns either a 1 or 0.
• The search look ups the BCAM table of MAC
Address and either finds the a complete
match for the MAC address or doesn’t – a
binary condition.
Ternary CAM

• That TCAM memory has the ability to match

(0), not match(1) (the binary is counterintuitive
there) or not care (wildcard).

• A lookup in TCAM still returns a binary value

– either match or mismatch; there isn’t a don’t
care return value because the Match Line itself
is either high or low; it’s a binary value. The
TCAM has the ability to store three values
Concluding...Whats the future?
DNA Storage
1. Made from salmon DNA this
media does not require power
to keep the information from
deteriorating.
2. DNA hard disk about the size
of a teaspoon would be
capable of fitting all of the
world’s data on it.
5D Optical Storages Magnetoresistive RAM
(MRAM)
• Terabytes of data being Universal Memory aims to
carved into tiny glass discs provide:
• High Density
• Thermal stability up to • High Speed
1,800 degrees Fahrenheit • Non-Volatility
• High Durability
Bibliography
∙ http://movingpackets.net/2016/07/06/response-cam-table-basics
∙ https://www.quora.com
∙ https://www.includehelp.com/basics
∙ http://clipart-library.com
THANK YOU !