by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

Primary Memory Devices

Primary Memory consist following memory devices-

1) Processor’s Internal Memory [CPU Registers] (Volatile / Temporary Memory)

2) Random Access Memory (Volatile / Temporary Memory)
i) Cache Memory (Static RAM)
ii) Main Memory (Dynamic RAM)
3) Read only Memory (ROM) (Non-Volatile / Permanent Memory)
i) P-ROM (Programmable ROM )
ii) EP-ROM (Erasable PROM)
iii) EEP-ROM (Electronically EPROM)
iv) Flash Memory

Hierarchy of Primary memory is maintained to properly utilization of CPU’s processing

power. Cache & Main memories are Volatile (Temporary) Memory in nature i.e. contain of
cache & main are erased with power supply down or interrupted. Both read & write
operations can be performed on this memory so these are also called Read-Write Memory.
But ROM, it is a read only memory & Non volatile (permanent) memory in nature.

1) Processor’s Internal Memory [CPU Registers]

Registers are working memory for CPU. It is also called Internal Processor memory. All
the operations are performed by CPU in special storage area called Registers. Registers
store data on which CPU is currently working.
Registers are volatile and highly expensive memory. The register size is one important
factor related with proper use of processing capabilities of the CPU. Register size refer
to the number of bytes that can be held into register at a single time unit for processing.
ALU, CU and registers together called central processing unit. Usually term word size
is used with CPU. A word size may be defined as a maximum unit of data (Number of
bytes) which can be processed by CPU simultaneously. CPU Registers are fastest & most
expensive memory in memory hierarchy. The following are some important registers of
CPU-
 Program counter (PC)
 Instruction Register (IR)
 Memory Address Register (MAR)
 Memory Buffer Register (MBR)
 Data Register (DR)
 Accumulator

Processor’s Internal memory is a Random access memory.

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Memory Device Part 2(Primary Memory)
by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

2) Random Access Memory [RAM]

There are two different types of RAM: S-RAM (Static Random Access / Cache
Memory) and D-RAM (Dynamic Random Access / Main Memory). The two types differ in
the technology they use to hold data temporarily. D-RAM is the more common type of
memory. But in terms of speed, SRAM is faster. D-RAM needs to be refreshed thousands
of times per second while S-RAM does not need to be refreshed, which is what makes it
faster than D-RAM. D-RAM supports access times of about 60 nanoseconds, S-RAM can
give access times as low as 10 nanoseconds. S-RAM is more expensive in compare to D-
RAM. Both types of RAM are volatile, means they lose their contents when the power is
turned off.

Random Access Memory is also known Read-Write RAM for computer systems. It is a
volatile memory that means it loses contain when electric power is off. This memory can
store large amount of data, low in cost & slow in access speed as compared to cache &
internal processor memory.

This memory works on random access mode that means access time is independent
to memory location. It allow computer to store data & information from secondary memory
for immediate manipulation by the CPU, so this data can be quickly accessed by CPU.

i) Cache Memory

Cache memory is volatile memory. It retain its contain as long as electric power supply
is continue, but contain of cache memory erased as electronic power supply get down. This
is also very fast, small size & expensive memory.

Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) is used as a cache memory. Cache memory not
required to re-written mechanism like main memory because cache memory does not have
electronic power leakage problem.

Cache is buffer memory used between main memory and CPU, for speed up processing
speed of CPU. Main memory is 8 to 10 time slower then CPU speed but cache memory is 2
to 5 times slower than CPU.

This is a read & write memory. It is also Random Access Memory that means data can
be accessed from any memory location within equal time period.

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by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

ii) Main Memory

D-RAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) used as main memory. Main memory is a part
of primary memory. It is a volatile memory that means it loses contain when electric power
is off.

This memory can store large amount of data, low in cost & slow in access speed as
compared to cache & internal processor memory.This memory works on random access
mode that means access time is independent to memory location. It is read & write
memory. It allow computer to store data & information from secondary memory for
immediate manipulation by the CPU, so this data can be quickly accessed by CPU.

Now-a-days a modern computer may have between 512 MB to 4 GB of main memory,

having more main memory reduce number of time to read secondary memory means fast
execution of S/w programs. Main memory is much faster as compared to secondary
memory.

The main memory is constructed by using series of consecutive memory cells made by
semiconductor material. Each cell have unique address. Main memory (D-RAM) requires
rewritten (Refresh) Mechanism within Limited time interval because it lose contains
(called memory leakage problem) even if electric power supply is on.

The main memory is designed in two ways-

 Word addressable and
 Character addressable

3) Read Only Memory [ROM]

ROM is a basically combinational circuit. ROMs are memories on which it is not possible
to perform write operation. They can only be read hence it is called Read Only Memory
(ROM).

ROMs are non volatile memories even when computer power supply down, the contains
of ROM remain available. Because of read only feature of ROM, it cannot be altered that
make it much safer & reliable.

ROM can be used in storing micro-programs, system programs, subroutines etc. Boot
firmware called BIOS is also a example of ROM, that stored initial start up instruction
set.

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by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

ROM is used in household electronic equipment such as Televisions, Microwave ovens,

Washing machine and so on.

Read only feature of ROM is a advantage. But this feature introduces a new problem, it
make inflexible to ROM update process, so new kind of ROMs are invented. ROM can be
classified in different categories on the basis of process to write new data on them. The
ROMs have following categories –

i. Programmable ROM (PROM)

ii. Erasable PROM (EPROM)
iii. Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM)
iv. Flash Memory

i) PROM

PROM can be written only once, so it is called Programmable ROM. Blank PROM chips
are constructed. The writing process in PROM is performed electrically using special
equipment. So PROM is more flexible as compared to ROM.

Program & data is loaded on PROM after chip construction. So like ROM it is not
required to decide about content of PROM before chip construction. In PROM after
writing contain cannot be changed i.e. writing only once.

ii) EPROM

EPROM’s are more expensive but it is possible to write EPROM multiple times, i.e.
EPROM can be erased and reprogrammed (re-writing). EPROM can be also written
electrically using special equipment like PROM. But it is also possible to erase contain of
EPROM which is not possible with ROM & PROM.

To erase EPROM we require to exposing the chip to ultra violet light for a particular
time period. This process set EPROM to same initial state & EPROM is ready for rewrite
operation.

This erasure is a time consuming process & EPROM cannot be erased selectively. It will
erase the entire EPROM. EPROM is more expensive but advantage of rewriting make it
popular.

iii) EEPROM

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Memory Device Part 2(Primary Memory)
by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

Writing process of EEPROM is same like PROM & EPROM. In EEPROM writing time is
considerably higher because it can be erased selectively i.e. one byte at a time is erased.
EEPROM rewriting process is flexible but slow.
EE-PROM’s are more popular because they do not require prior erasure of previous
contents for rewriting process. EEPROM can be erased & rewrite multiple times. This is
not required to erase entire EEPROM. We can erase EEPROM selectively & perform
rewrite operation. So, partial changes in EEPROM’s are possible.

High cost & considerably high time are disadvantages of EEPROM.

Memory Read Number of write

Type Time cycles allows
i) PROM Nanosecond Once
ii) EPROM Nanosecond Hundreds
iii) EEPROM Nanosecond Thousands

iv) Flash ROM

This is new memory technology. These memories can be reprogrammed at high speed,
so it is called flash memory. Now-a-days flash memories are used in Mobile phones, Digital
Cameras, LAN switches etc.

Flash memories fall in between EPROM and EEPROM in terms of cost & writing time
required. Flash memory can be erased entirely in few seconds using electronic erasing
techniques.

Flash was invented by Toshiba and named after its ability to erase a block of a data
"in a flash." Flash memory gets its name because the microchip is organized so that a
section of memory cells are erased in a single action or "Flash." Intel offers a form of
flash memory that holds two bits in each memory cell, thus doubling the capacity of
memory without a corresponding increase in price.

NOR and NAND - Flash chips are constructed of either NOR or NAND logic gates.
NOR works like a computer's memory, while NAND is like a hard disk.

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Memory Device Part 2(Primary Memory)
by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

Exercise – 5
1. Processor’s Internal Memory [CPU Registers] is _________ memory in nature.
2. Read only Memory (ROM) ____________ memory.
3. Hierarchy of Primary memory is maintained to properly utilization of CPU’s
________________ .

4. Contain of ________________________ are erased with power supply down or

interrupted.

5. Both ________________ operations can be performed on cache & main memory.

6. CPU Registers are ____________________ for CPU. Registers store data on
which CPU is _______________________ .

7. ALU, CU and registers together called _______________________ .

8. A word size may be defined as a maximum _________________ which can be
processed by CPU in a time unit.

9. CPU Registers are most _______________________ memory in memory

hierarchy.

10. Accumulator is a CPU _________________ .

11. SRAM is also known as ____________ memory.

12. DRAM is also known as ____________ memory.

13. SRAM & DRAM both are ______________ in nature.

14. Cache is ____________ memory used between main memory and CPU, for
__________ processing of CPU.

15. Main memory is ________ time slower than CPU speed.

16. Cache memory is ________ times slower than CPU speed.
17. Now-a-days a modern computer may have between __________ to _______ of
main memory.

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by Prof Ashish J Paliwal, Mgt Programs, MRSCPS, Indore

18. Main memory is much faster as compared to _______________ memory.

19. Main memory (D-RAM) requires ________________ Mechanism within Limited
time interval because it lose contains (called memory leakage problem) even if

electric power supply is on.

20. ROM is used in household electronic equipment such as

___________________________________ etc.

21. PROM can be written _________ .

22. PROM is more __________ as compared to ROM.
23. To erase EPROM we require to exposing the chip to __________________ for a
particular time period.

24. We can erase EEPROM ___________ & perform rewrite operation.

25. Now-a-days flash memories are used in ______________________________
etc.

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Memory Device Part 2(Primary Memory)