Introduction to Computer

Memory

CSE
DU
 Computer Memory
Memory: Memory is a device that is used to store information. In digital
system, memory stores information as binary numbers i. e., as 0s and 1s.
Before describing memory in details let us define some terminologies.
 Classification of Memory

A computer system contains a variety of memory devices to

store instructions and data for its operation.
In general, memory components of a computer system can
be divided into three categories:
1. Internal processor memory (or built-in memory)
2. Main memory or primary memory
3. Secondary memory
 Memory Hierarchy

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 Classification of Memory

Internal Processor Memory:

Basically it comprises of a small set of high-speed register
used as a working memory for temporary storage of
instructions and data.
Some microprocessors also employ another type of built-in
memory called cache.
 Classification of Memory

Main Memory:
It is relatively a large memory.
This memory is used for program and data storage
during computer operation.
Locations in main memory can be accessed directly and
rapidly by the CPU.
The technology used for main memory is based on
semiconductor technology.
Examples: RAM, ROM
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 Classification of Memory
Secondary Memory:
This is generally much larger in capacity but is slower than main
memory.
It is used for storing system programs and large data files which are
not continually required by the CPU.
Information in secondary storage is accessed indirectly via input-
output programs.
Example: Magnetic disk, magnetic tape and optical disks
 General Properties of Memory Devices
Access Time:
Performance of a memory device is primarily determined by the rate
at which information can be read from or written into the memory.
A convenient performance measure is the average time required to
read a fixed amount of information (e.g. one word) from the memory.
This is termed as the access time.
Cost:
The cost of a memory unit is most meaningfully measured by the
purchase price to the user. The price should include not only the cost
of the information storage but also the cost of the peripheral
equipment or access circuitry essential to the operation of the
memory
 General Properties of Memory Devices
Access Modes:
Two main types of memory access techniques are:
Random access and Serial access
Random Access:
If memory locations may be accessed in any order and access is
time independent of the location being accessed, the memory is
termed a Random Access Memory (RAM).
Example: semiconductor memory
Serial Access:
If storage location can be accessed only in certain predetermined
sequence then the memory is called serial access memory.
Example: Magnetic tape
General Properties of Memory Devices

Cycle Time:
The minimum time between two consecutive memory access
operations is called the cycle time.
Data Transfer Rate:
The maximum amount of information that can be transferred to
or from the memory every second is called the data transfer rate.
 Memory Capacity

Memory capacity is the number of 0s and 1s that a memory can hold.

Terms: bit: 0 / 1
Byte: 8 bit
KB (Kilo Byte): 1024 Byte
MB (Mega Byte): 1024 KB
GB (Giga Byte): 1024 MB
TB (Terra Byte): 1024 GB
 Main Memory

ROM ( Read Only Memory)

Types of ROM:

M-PROM
 Types of ROM:

The data can be erased by

applying an ultra violet light
through the window of the
EPROM.
 Types of ROM:

This ROM can be programmed electrically and also erased

electrically. So it is possible to write and erase individual
location of the memory.
 Random Access Memory:

Semiconductor RAM
The
 Random Access Memory:
Types of RAM: There are two types of RAM.

1) Static RAM: This type of RAM can

store data as long as power is
applied to the chip without the need
for periodically rewriting the data
into memory. These are
constructed using Flip-Flops.

2) Dynamic RAM:
 SRAM vs DRAM

1. SRAM is static while DRAM is dynamic

2. SRAM is faster compared to DRAM
3. SRAM consumes less power than DRAM
4. SRAM uses more transistors per bit of memory. A DRAM
module only needs a transistor and a capacitor for every bit
of data where SRAM needs 6 transistors.
5. A DRAM module can have almost 6 times more capacity to
an SRAM module.

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 SRAM vs DRAM

6. DRAM requires the data to be refreshed periodically in order

to retain the data. SRAM does not need to be refreshed as
the transistors inside would continue to hold the data as long
as the power supply is not cut off.
7. SRAM is more expensive than DRAM
8. Cheaper DRAM is used in main memory while SRAM is
commonly used in cache memory

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 Virtual Memory

Virtual memory is a computer system technique which gives

an application program the impression that it has contiguous
working memory, while in fact it may be physically fragmented
and may even overflow on to disk storage. Systems that use
this technique make programming of large applications easier
and use real physical memory (e.g. RAM) more efficiently than
those without virtual memory. All modern general-purpose
computer operating systems use virtual memory techniques
for ordinary applications, such as word processors,
spreadsheets, multimedia players, accounting, etc.
 Virtual Memory

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 Write-only Memory

In information technology, a write-only memory (WOM) is a

memory location or register that can be written to but not read.
In addition to its literal meaning, the term may be applied to a
situation when the data written by one circuitry can be read
only by other circuitry. The most common occurrence of the
latter situation is when a processor writes data to a write-only
register of hardware the processor is controlling.

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