
Open access
Author
Date
1999-04Type
- Report
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The functionality of volatile random access memories (RAMs) in personal computers, embedded systems, networking devices, and many other products is based on an access scheme which was designed over thirty years ago. Since then a variety of different realizations has evolved. Due to the fact that VLSI designs for memory chips have always been optimized for area and not for access speed, RAM chips have become more and more the performance bottleneck of complex computing systems. This survey gives an overview of current memory chip architectures. The basic functionality of memories is explained and the advantages and drawbacks of each RAM type are discussed. By providing a better understanding of the limits of current RAM designs, this report supports the decision for a particular RAM in an individual application. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-004287257Publication status
publishedJournal / series
TIK ReportVolume
Publisher
ETH Zurich, Computer Engineering and Networks LaboratoryOrganisational unit
02640 - Inst. f. Technische Informatik und Komm. / Computer Eng. and Networks Lab.
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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