MemoryOrganization.pptVIP

Chapter 12 Memory Organization Dr. Bernard Chen Ph.D. University of Central Arkansas Spring 2009 Memory Hierarchy The memory unit is an essential component in any digital computer since it is needed for storing programs and data Not all accumulated information is needed by the CPU at the same time Therefore, it is more economical to use low-cost storage devices to serve as a backup for storing the information that is not currently used by CPU Memory Hierarchy The memory unit that directly communicate with CPU is called the main memory Devices that provide backup storage are called auxiliary memory The memory hierarchy system consists of all storage devices employed in a computer system from the slow by high-capacity auxiliary memory to a relatively faster main memory, to an even smaller and faster cache memory Memory Hierarchy The main memory occupies a central position by being able to communicate directly with the CPU and with auxiliary memory devices through an I/O processor A special very-high-speed memory called cache is used to increase the speed of processing by making current programs and data available to the CPU at a rapid rate Memory Hierarchy CPU logic is usually faster than main memory access time, with the result that processing speed is limited primarily by the speed of main memory The cache is used for storing segments of programs currently being executed in the CPU and temporary data frequently needed in the present calculations The typical access time ratio between cache and main memory is about 1to7 Auxiliary memory access time is usually 1000 times that of main memory Main Memory Most of the main memory in a general purpose computer is made up of RAM integrated circuits chips, but a portion of the memory may be constructed with ROM chips RAM– Random Access memory In tegated RAM are available in two possible operating modes, Static and Dynamic ROM– Read Only memory Random-Access Memory (RAM) Static RAM (SRAM) Each cell stores bit with a