UNIT -3

Computer Memory
LH: 4 Hrs
Contents:
1. Computer Memory: [Introduction, Memory Representation,
Memory Hierarchy, CPU Registers, Cache Memory,
Primary Memory, Secondary Memory]
2. Access types of storage devices
3. Magnetic Tape
4. Magnetic disk
5. Optical Disk
6. Magneto-Optical Disk
7. How the computer uses its memory?
Computer Memory: [Introduction, Memory Representation,
Memory Hierarchy, CPU Registers, Cache Memory, Primary
Memory, Secondary Memory]

Memory Hierarchy on the basis of Size and Speed:

Introduction:
The memory is characterized on the basis of two key factors –
capacity and access time. The memory in a computer can be
divided into five hierarchies based on the speed as well as use.
The processor can move from one level to another based on its
requirements. The six hierarchies in the memory are registers,
cache, USB/Flash memory, main memory, magnetic discs, and
magnetic tapes. The first three hierarchies are volatile memories
which mean when there is no power, and then automatically they
lose their stored data. Whereas the last two hierarchies are not
volatile which means they store the data permanently.

Memory Representation
Unit Description
1. Binary Digit [0,1] 1 bit [Smallest Unit]
2. 1 Nibble 4 Bits
3. 1 Byte 8 Bits
4. 1 Kilobyte(KB) 1024 Bytes
5. 1 Megabytes(MB) 1024 KB
 6. 1 Gigabyte(GB) 1024 MB
7. 1 Terabyte(TB) 1024 GB
8. 1 Petabyte(PB) 1024 TB
9. 1 Exabyte(EB) 1024 PB
10.1 Zettabyte(ZB) 1024 EB
11.1 Yottabyte (YB) 1024 ZB
12. 1 Brontobyte (BB) 1024 YB
13. 1 Geobyte(GB) (No 1024 concept) Higher unit

Memory Hierarchy

Bytes Register Internal Memory

KB/MB Cache Memory
Primary Memory
GB Main memory (RAM)

GB USB/Flash memory
Secondary
TB Magnetic Disk/Hard Disk Memory
Tertiary Memory
PB/EB Magnetic Tapes/ Tape Drives

Fig: Memory Hierarchy

1. Register
A register is basically a storage space for units of memory
that are used to transfer data for immediate use by the CPU
(Central Processing Unit) for data processing.
2. Cache Memory
- A cache memory is supplementary primary memory
system that temporarily stores frequently used
instructions and data for quicker processing by the
processor of computer.
- This chip-based feature of your computer lets you access
some information more quickly than if you access it from
your computer’s main hard drive.
[Types of Cache Memory: L1, L2, L3]
3. Main Memory (RAM/ROM)
Random Access Memory(RAM)
- RAM stands for random access memory, it is a form of
data storage that can be accessed randomly at any time,
in any order and from any physical location.
- It stores the program and instructions during execution,
allowing quick access and manipulation.
- RAM is volatile i.e. its contents are lost when the device
is power off.
- It allows reading and writing.
- The instruction is written into the RAM at the time of
execution.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
- Read only memory or ROM is a form of data storage that
cannot be easily altered or reprogrammed.
 - ROM contains the program that allows the computer to
be booted up or regenerated each time you turn it on.
- ROM is non-volatile i.e. its contents are retained even
when the device is powered off.
- It allows reading only.
- The instructions written into ROM at manufacturing
time.

Types of ROM

1. Programmable Read Only memory (PROM)

- PROM stands for programmable Read Only Memory. [In
this memory, you can program for one time only]
- This Memory has poly-silicon wires arranged in a
matrix.
- These wire can be functionally viewed as diodes or
fuses.

2. Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory(EPROM)

- Erasable programmable read only memory is the ROM
that can be erased and reused.
- EPROM can be erased by simply exposing the device to
a strong source of ultraviolet light for 10 to 20 minutes.
 - Because of the chip can be reused many times this
memory is ideally suited for product development,
experimental projects, and college laboratory.
3. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only
Memory(EEPROM)
- It is a type of ROM that can be erased and reprogrammed
using an electrical charge or electrical voltage.
- An EEPROM is like an EPROM chip since it can be
written in or programmed more than once.
- EEPROM chip need not be taken out of the computer or
electronic device of which it is part when new program
or data needs to be written on it.

4. USB/Flash memory
USB flash drive, small portable data storage device that
uses flash memory and has an integrated universal serial
bus (USB) interface.
5. Magnetic Disk/Hard Disk
A magnetic disk, also known as a hard disk, is a storage
device that uses magnetized areas on a rotating disk to store
digital information.
6. Magnetic Tapes/Tape Drives

Magnetic tape is a thin, flexible plastic strip coated with

magnetic material that stores data. It's used in tape drives,
which read and write data to the tape. Magnetic tape is a
 relatively inexpensive, durable, and high-capacity storage
medium that's often used for archiving and backing up
data.

Access types of storage devices

The information stored in storage devices can be accessed
in two ways:
- Sequential Access
- Direct Access

 Sequential Access:
- Sequential access means the computer system must
search the storage device from the beginning until it
finds the required piece of data.
- In sequential access devices, the data is written or read
in sequence one after another and cannot go directly to
the desired location without going through all the
preceding locations.
- The data access method is less expensive than other
methods.
- The disadvantage is that the searching for data is slow.
 Direct Access Devices
- In direct access storage devices, the data can be
written to or read from any location in random
without going through the preceding points.
 - Direct access devices are the ones in which any piece
of data can be retrieved in a non-sequential manner by
locating it using the data’s address.
- It accesses the data directly from a desired location.
- It is also called random access because any data from
any location can be read or written directly.
- The examples of direct access are Magnetic Disk,
Optical Disk (CD, DVD, Blue Ray Disk) etc.

2
With sequential access,
elements # 1,2,3 must be
3
processed before element With direct access,
#4 can be processed. elements #4 in the list can
4
be accessed without

5 having to process the

elements before it.
Optical Disk
- An optical disk is any computer disk that uses optical
storage techniques and technology to read and write
data.
- It is a computer storage disk that stores data digitally
and uses laser beams to read and write data.
- It can store more data than the previous generation.
- There are three types of optical disks:
1. CD
- Compact Disc (CD), a molded plastic disc
containing digital data that is scanned by a laser
beam for the reproduction of recorded sound and
other information(music).
- It is read only memory. In this disk you cannot
write any information within it.
- It has limited capacity like 650 MB to 700MB
only.
 Fig: CD ROM

2. DVD
Digital Video Read only memory(DVD-ROM) is
an optical storage device used to store digital video
or computer data. DVDs look like CDs, in shape
and physical size. It improves on CD technology. It
is a high density medium with increased tack and
bit density. DVD-ROM uses both sides of the disk
and special data compression technologies. The
tracks for storing data are extremely small. A full-
length movie can be stored on a single disk.

3. Blue Ray Disk

A Blu-ray disk (BD) is a high-capacity optical disk
medium developed for recording, rewriting and
playing back high definition video. It can store
large amounts of data and was designed to
supersede the DVD.
Blu-ray was jointly developed by a group of
personal computer and consumer electronics
companies called the Blu-ray Disc Association.
Blu-ray disks support higher resolutions and more
 advanced video and audio formats compared to
DVDs.

8. Magneto-Optical Disk
A magneto-optical disk is a rewritable disk that makes
use of both magnetic disk and optical technologies. It
is similar to a magnetic diskette except for its larger
size. Magneto-optical disks are rarely manufactured
and used due to the arrival of flash drives and
DVD/CD drives, which are less expensive and have
better writing time and reliability.
Magneto-optical disks are also known as magneto-
optical drives and MO drives.

9. How the computer uses its memory?

A computer uses memory to store and retrieve data and
instructions for various tasks. Here's how a computer uses
memory:

- Primary memory

Also known as main memory, this is where

instructions and data are held while a program is
running. Primary memory is accessed quickly and is
 often volatile, meaning that data stored in it is
temporary and is deleted when the computer is turned
off.

- Secondary memory

Also known as auxiliary memory, this is where data

and programs that aren't currently in use are
stored. Secondary memory provides long-term
storage.

- Processor registers

These are located inside the processor and are the

fastest form of computer data storage. Each register
typically holds a word of data, which is often 32 or
64 bits.

- Processor cache

This is an intermediate stage between registers and

main memory. It duplicates the most actively used
information in the main memory.

- Virtual memory
This is a memory management technique that transfers
the contents of computer memory to storage.
 Q&A
Session
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