SRAM, DRAM, ROM and flash differ in speed, density and volatility.
SRAM (6T cell, fast, expensive) for caches; DRAM (1T1C, needs refresh) for main memory; ROM/flash (non-volatile) for firmware and storage (NOR for code, NAND for data). Endurance, speed, density and cost differ. EEPROM and FRAM for small non-volatile parameters.
A microcontroller has flash for code and SRAM for variables.
Memory technology decides how much data a system can hold and how fast it can be accessed, so selecting memory is a core design decision.
SRAM, DRAM, ROM and flash differ in speed, density and volatility.
Memory technology decides how much data a system can hold and how fast it can be accessed, so selecting memory is a core design decision.
SRAM uses flip-flop cells and is fast and static, while DRAM stores charge in a capacitor, is denser and must be refreshed.
Flash erases in large blocks and writes need high voltages, so writes are slower than reads and wear the cells over time.
Typical applications include choosing SRAM for a fast microcontroller cache, using flash to store firmware that must survive power loss and selecting DRAM for a computer with large data needs.
Study "Timing: setup and hold" first (topic 46 of 104 in Electronics & Embedded). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
Volatile vs non-volatile. Access time and bandwidth. Wear levelling.
A microcontroller has flash for code and SRAM for variables.
The next topic is "Logic families", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Intermediate in Electronics & Embedded (topic 47 of 104). It is an intermediate topic. Work through the beginner topics in Electronics & Embedded first.
Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.