MEMORY DEVICES
GROUP II
Memory Representation
2
Memory hierarchy
1. Primary memory
2. Secondary memory
Memory Representation
3
Memory
4
Main memory consists of a number of
storage locations, each of which is identified
by a unique address
The ability of the CPU to identify each
location is known as its addressability
Each location stores a word i.e. the number
of bits that can be processed by the CPU in
a single operation. Word length may be
typically 16, 24, 32 or as many as 64 bits.
A large word length improves system
performance, though may be less efficient
on occasions when the full word length is not
used
Types of main memory
There are two types of main memory, Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read
Only Memory (ROM)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
holds its data as long as the computer is switched on
All data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off
Described as being volatile
It is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any order
Its purpose is to temporarily hold programs and data for processing. In modern
computers it also holds the operating system
Types of RAM
1. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
• Contents are constantly refreshed 1000 times per second
• Access time 60 – 70 nanoseconds
2. Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM)
• Quicker than DRAM
• Access time less than 60 nanoseconds
3. Direct Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRDRAM)
• New type of RAM architecture
• Access time 20 times faster than DRAM
• More expensive
Types of RAM
4. Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
• Doesn’t need refreshing
• Retains contents as long as power applied to the chip
• Access time around 10 nanoseconds
• Used for cache memory
• Also for date and time settings as powered by small battery
5. Cache memory
• Small amount of memory typically 256 or 512 kilobytes
• Temporary store for often used instructions
• Level 1 cache is built within the CPU (internal)
• Level 2 cache may be on chip or nearby (external)
• Faster for CPU to access than main memory
The operation of cache memory
8
1. Cache fetches data 2. CPU checks to see
from next to current whether the next
addresses in main instruction it requires is in
memory cache
Main Cache
Memory Memory CPU
(DRAM) (SRAM)
3. If it is, then the
4. If not, the CPU has to
instruction is fetched
fetch next instruction
from the cache – a very
from main memory - a
fast position
much slower process
= Bus connections
Types of RAM
9 6. Video Random Access memory
• Holds data to be displayed on computer screen
• Has two data paths allowing READ and WRITE to occur at the same time
• A system’s amount of VRAM relates to the number of colours and resolution
• A graphics card may have its own VRAM chip on board
7. Virtual memory
• Uses backing storage e.g. hard disk as a temporary location for programs and
data where insufficient RAM available
• Swaps programs and data between the hard-disk and RAM as the CPU requires
them for processing
• A cheap method of running large or many programs on a computer system
• Cost is speed: the CPU can access RAM in nanoseconds but hard-disk in
milliseconds (Note: a millisecond is a thousandth of a second)
• Virtual memory is much slower than RAM
Read only memory (ROM)
10
ROM holds programs and data permanently even when computer is switched off
Data can be read by the CPU in any order so ROM is also direct access
The contents of ROM can be fixed at the time of manufacture
Stores a program called the bootstrap loader that helps start up the computer
Access time of between 10 and 50 nanoseconds
Types of ROM
11
1. Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM)
• Empty of data when manufactured
• May be permanently programmed by the user
2. Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)
• Can be programmed, erased and reprogrammed
• The EPROM chip has a small window on top allowing it to be erased by
shining ultra-violet light on it
• After reprogramming the window is covered to prevent new contents being
erased
• Access time is around 45 – 90 nanoseconds
Types of ROM
12
3. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)
• Reprogrammed electrically without using ultraviolet light
• Must be removed from the computer and placed in a special machine to do this
• Access times between 45 and 200 nanoseconds
4. Flash ROM
• Similar to EEPROM
• However, can be reprogrammed while still in the computer
• Easier to upgrade programs stored in Flash ROM
• Used to store programs in devices e.g. modems
• Access time is around 45 – 90 nanoseconds
5. ROM cartridges
• Commonly used in games machines
• Prevents software from being easily copied
Secondary Storage Devices
13
Secondary storage devices facilitates storing of
information and programs permanently.
Sequential Access
Magnetic Tape
Direct Access
Magnetic Disks : FDD, HDD, ZIP Disk
Optical Disks: CD ROM, DVD
Magneto Optical Disks
Secondary Storage Devices
14
Traditional Floppy Diskette
8-15
Direct Access Storage Devices
16
magnetic hard and floppy disks
removable hard disks
optical discs
CD-ROM,
CD-R, CD-RW,
DVD
GEOMETRY:
TRACKS and SECTORS
Floppy Disks
17
High capacity
Known as a floppy-disk cartridge
Require special disk drives
Three well known types
Zip disks
HiFD disks
SuperDisks
18
Hard Disks
Use thicker, metallic platters for storage
Faster than a floppy diskette
Large capacity
Sensitive instruments
Internal Hard Disk
19
Located inside system unit
Known as a fixed disk
Designated as the C drive
Advantages over floppies
Access speed
Capacity
Hard-Disk Packs
20
Removable
Massive storage capacity
Common in mainframes
Resembles stack of vinyl records
Hard-Disk Pack
21
Optical Disks
22
Compact
Permanent storage
Laser beams reflect off pits
Two common types
CD
DVD
Compact Disc
23
Optical format
From 650 MB to 1 GB capacity
Rotation speeds vary
Types
Read only: CD-ROM
Write once: CD-R
Rewriteable: CD-RW
Picture CDs and Photo CDs
24
CD–R
discs are “burnt” one at a
time
high intensity laser beam
used for recording
pregrooved tracks
low intensity beam for
reading
25
CD-RW
CD-ReWritable--
writable, erasable disc
optical phase-change
recording
Erased, written up to
1,000 times
26
DVD
Digital Versatile Disk or Digital Video Disk (DVD)
Similar to CDs, but can store more data
Types
Read only
Write once
Rewritable
Higher capacity:
higher data density
multiple sides
multiple layers
Other Types of Secondary Storage
27
Solid-state storage
Internet hard drives
Magnetic tape
Solid-State Storage
28
Flash memory cards
Widely used in notebook computers
Used to record MP3 music files
Key chain hard drives
Key chain flash memory
devices
Connects to a USB port
Internet Hard Drives
29
Magnetic Tape
30
Provides sequential access
Information stored in sequence
Slower than disks which provide
direct access
Magnetic tape streamers or tape
cartridges used by both mainframes
and microcomputers
Blu-Ray Technology
31
New standard in storage
Blu-Ray
New disks use blue laser light instead of the red laser
light used in traditional CD players
Disks may ultimately hold
Over 30GB on one-sided disks
Over 50GB on two-sided disks
