Semiconductor Memory Types & Technologies

Semiconductor Memory Tutorial Includes:
Memory types & technologies     Memory specifications & parameters     Memory card buying guide    

Memory types:   DRAM     EEPROM     Flash     FRAM     MRAM     Phase change memory     SDRAM     SRAM    

Semiconductor memory is used in any electronics assembly that uses computer processing technology. Often referred to as computer memory, these electronic components are essential for any computer or processor based PCB assembly.

In addition to this, memory cards have become commonplace items for temporarily storing data - everything from the portable flash memory cards used for transferring files, to semiconductor memory cards used in cameras, mobile phones and the like.

The use of semiconductor memory has grown, and the size of these memory cards has increased as the need for larger and larger amounts of storage is needed.

To meet the growing needs for semiconductor memory, there are many types and technologies that are used. As the demand grows new computer memory technologies are being introduced and the existing types and technologies are being further developed.

A variety of different memory technologies are available - each one suited to different applications.. Names such as ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, as well as F-RAM and MRAM are available, and new types are being developed to enable improved performance.

Terms like DDR3, DDR4, DDR5 and many more are seen and these refer to different types of SDRAM computer memory.

In addition to this the semiconductor devices are available in many forms - ICs for printed board assembly, USB memory cards, Compact Flash cards, SD memory cards and even solid state hard drives. Semiconductor memory is even incorporated into many microprocessor chips as on-board memory.

Semiconductor memory: main types

There are two main types or categories that can be used for semiconductor or computer memory technology. These memory types or categories differentiate the memory to the way in which it operates:

• RAM - Random Access Memory:   As the names suggest, the RAM or random access memory is a form of semiconductor memory technology that is used for reading and writing data in any order - in other words as it is required by the processor. It is used for such applications as the computer or processor memory where variables and other stored and are required on a random basis. Data is stored and read many times to and from this type of memory.

  Random access memory is used in huge quantities in computer applications as current day computing and processing technology requires large amounts of memory to enable them to handle the memory hungry applications used today. Many types of RAM including SDRAM with its DDR3, DDR4, and soon DDR5 variants are used in huge quantities.

• ROM - Read Only Memory:  A ROM is a form of semiconductor memory technology used where the data is written once and then not changed. In view of this it is used where data needs to be stored permanently, even when the power is removed - many memory technologies lose the data once the power is removed.

  As a result, this type of semiconductor memory technology is widely used for storing programs and data that must survive when a computer or processor is powered down. For example the BIOS of a computer will be stored in ROM.

  As the name implies, data cannot be easily written to ROM. Depending on the technology used in the ROM, writing the data into the ROM initially may require special hardware. Although it is often possible to change the data, this gain requires special hardware to erase the data ready for new data to be written in.

As can be seen, these two types of memory are very different, and as a result they are used in very different ways.

Each of the semiconductor memory technologies outlined below falls into one of these two types of category. each technology offers its own advantages and is used in a particular way, or for a particular application.

Semiconductor memory technologies

There is a large variety of types of ROM and RAM that are available. Often the overall name for the memory technology includes the initials RAM or ROM and this gives a guide as to the overall type of format for the memory.

With technology moving forwards apace, not only are the established technologies moving forwards with SDRAM technology moving from DDR3 to DDR4 and then to DDR5, but Flash memory used in memory cards is also developing as are the other technologies.

In addition to this, new memory technologies are arriving on the scene and they are starting to make an impact in the market, enabling processor circuits to perform more effectively.

Dynamic RAM, DRAM

Dynamic RAM is a form of random access memory. DRAM uses a capacitor to store each bit of data, and the level of charge on each capacitor determines whether that bit is a logical 1 or 0.

However 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. DRAM is the form of semiconductor memory that is often used in equipment including personal computers and workstations where it forms the main RAM for the computer. The semiconductor devices are normally available as integrated circuits for use in PCB assembly in the form of surface mount devices or less frequently now as leaded components.

Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, EEPROM

Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory is a form of compter memory where data can be written to the memory device and it can be erased using an electrical voltage. This erase voltage is typically applied to a special erase pin on the chip.

Like other types of PROM, EEPROM retains the contents of the memory even when the power is turned off. Also like other types of ROM, EEPROM is not as fast as RAM.

Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, EPROM

Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory devices can be programmed and then erased at a later time. This is normally achieved by exposing the semiconductor device itself 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 device.

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. These devices are not widely sued these days as more convenient forms of semiconductor memory are now available.

The PROM stores its data as a charge on a capacitor. There is a charge storage capacitor for each cell and this can be read repeatedly as required. However it is found that after many years the charge may leak away and the data may be lost.

Nevertheless, this type of semiconductor memory used to be widely used in applications where a form of ROM was required, but where the data needed to be changed periodically, as in a development environment, or where quantities were low.

Flash memory

Flash memory is a particularly widespread form of computer memory. It is not only sued in memory cards, but it is being used increasingly for computer solid state hard drives and similar applications.

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. As a result Flash memory is widely used in many applications including USB memory sticks, compact Flash memory cards, SD memory cards and also now solid state hard drives for computers and many other applications.

Ferroelectric RAM F-RAM

Ferroelectric RAM is a random-access memory technology that has many similarities to the standard DRAM technology. The major difference is that it incorporates a ferroelectric layer instead of the more usual dielectric layer and this provides its non-volatile capability.

As F-RAM offers a non-volatile capability, F-RAM is a direct competitor to Flash.

Magneto-resistive RAM, MRAM

Magneto-resistive RAM, or Magnetic RAM is a non-volatile RAM memory technology that uses magnetic charges to store data instead of electric charges.

Unlike technologies including DRAM, which require a constant flow of electricity to maintain the integrity of the data, MRAM retains data even when the power is removed. An additional advantage is that it only requires low power for active operation. As a result this technology could become a major player in the electronics industry now that production processes have been developed to enable it to be produced.

Phase change Random Access Memory,P-RAM / PCM:

This type of semiconductor memory is known as Phase change Random Access Memory, P-RAM or just Phase Change memory, PCM. It is based around a phenomenon where a form of chalcogenide glass changes is state or phase between an amorphous state (high resistance) and a polycrystalline state (low resistance).

It is possible to detect the state of an individual cell and hence use this for data storage. Currently this type of memory has not been widely commercialised, but it is expected to be a competitor for flash memory.

Programmable Read Only Memory, PROM:

Programmable Read Only Memory is a form of 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 fuseable links some of which are "blown" during the programming process to provide the required data pattern.

Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM:

Synchronous DRAM. This form of semiconductor memory can run at faster speeds than conventional DRAM. It is synchronised to the clock of the processor and is capable of keeping two sets of memory addresses open simultaneously. By transferring data alternately from one set of addresses, and then the other, SDRAM cuts down on the delays associated with non-synchronous RAM, which must close one address bank before opening the next.

Within the SDRAM family there are several types of memory technologies that are seen. These are referred to by the letters DDR - Double Data Rate. DDR4 is currently the latest technology, but this is soon to be followed by DDR5 which will offer some significant improvements in performance.

Static Random Access Memory, SRAM:

Static Random Access Memory. This form of semiconductor memory gains its name from the fact that, unlike DRAM, the data does not need to be refreshed dynamically.

These semiconductor devices are able to support faster read and write times than DRAM (typically 10 ns against 60 ns for DRAM), and in addition its cycle time is much shorter because it does not need to pause between accesses.

However SRAM chips consume more power, they are less dense and more expensive than DRAM. As a result of this SRAM is normally used for caches, while DRAM is used as the main semiconductor memory technology.

Semiconductor memory technology is developing at a fast rate to meet the ever growing needs of the electronics industry. Not only are the existing technologies themselves being developed, but considerable amounts of research are being invested in new types of semiconductor memory technology.

In terms of the memory technologies currently in use, SDRAM versions like DDR4 are being further developed to provide DDR5 which will offer significant performance improvements. In time, DDR5 will be developed to provide the next generation of SDRAM.

Other forms of memory are seen around the home in the form of USB memory sticks, Compact Flash, CF cards or SD memory cards for cameras and other applications as well as solid state hard drives for computers.

The semiconductor devices are available in a wide range of formats to meet the differing PCB assembly and other needs.

  Written by Ian Poole .
  Experienced electronics engineer and author.

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