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RAM Basics

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Unfortunately, no open time for all. The UNIVERSITY of NORTH ... B (and B not) set by R/W, Data In and BitSelect. Funny thing here when you write. What is it? ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: RAM Basics


1
RAM Basics
  • Anselmo Lastra

2
Topics
  • VGA timing project
  • Deadline Thursday
  • Class time change
  • Semester project topics
  • RAMs

3
Class Time
  • Preference for keeping TTh
  • Unfortunately, no open time for all

4
Projects
  • Some have project already
  • Polygon pipeline
  • Stopping points Gouraud, texturing, etc.
  • Ray caster/tracer
  • Similar possible milestones
  • Can share common parts

5
Simple Hdw View of RAM
  • Some capacity 2k
  • k bits of address lines
  • Often multiplexed
  • Maybe have read line, clock, chip select
  • Have a write enable line

6
Reading
  • Setup address lines
  • Activate enable, read/write line
  • Data available after specified amt of time

7
Writing
  • Setup address lines
  • Setup data lines
  • Activate write line

8
Static vs Dynamic RAM
  • SRAM vs DRAM
  • DRAM stores charge in whats essentially
    capacitor
  • Disappears over short period of time
  • Must be refreshed (rewritten/recharged)
  • SRAM easier to use
  • Faster
  • More expensive per bit
  • Smaller sizes

9
Structure of SRAM
  • Control logic
  • One memory cell per bit
  • Cell consists of one or more transistors
  • Not really a latch made of logic
  • Logic equivalent

10
Bit Slice
  • Cells connected to form 1 bit position
  • Word Select gates one latch from address lines
  • Note it selects Reads also
  • B (and B not) set by R/W, Data In and BitSelect
  • Funny thing here when you write. What is it?

11
Bit Slice can Become Module
  • Basically bit slice is a X1 memory
  • Next

12
16 X 1 RAM
  • Now shows decoder

13
Tri-State
  • Have three states H, L, and Hi-Z
  • High impedance
  • Behaves like no output connection if in Hi-Z
    state
  • Allows connecting multiple outputs

14
Multiplexed with Hi-Z
  • Normal behavior is blue area

15
Row/Column
  • If RAM gets large, there is a large decoder
  • Also run into chip layout issues
  • Larger memories usually 2D in a matrix layout
  • Next Slide

16
16 X 1 as 4 X 4 Array
  • Two decoders
  • Row
  • Column
  • Address just broken up
  • Not visible from outside

17
Change to 4 X 2 RAM
  • Minor change in logic
  • Also pinouts

18
Realistic Sizes
  • Imagine 256K memory as 32K X 8
  • One column layout would need 15-bit decoder with
    32K outputs!
  • Can make a square layout with 9-bit row and 6-bit
    column decoders

19
SRAM Performance
  • Current ones have cycle times in low nanoseconds
    (say 2.5ns)
  • Used as cache (typically offchip secondary cache)
  • Sizes up to 8Mbit or so for fast chips

20
Using SRAM on Spartan II
  • Recall block SRAM available on chip
  • 11 4Kb blocks
  • Configured in many ways (table)

21
Using from Verilog
  • Instantiate a block (here called R1)
  • RAMB4_S8_S8 R1 (.DOA (data_a),
  • .DOB (data_b),
  • .ADDRA (addr_a),
  • .ADDRB (addr_a),
  • .CLKA (clk),
  • .CLKB (clk),
  • .DIA (data_in),
  • .DIB (data_in),
  • .ENA (ena),
  • .ENB (enb),
  • .RSTA (rsta),
  • .RSTB (rstb),
  • .WEA (wea),
  • .WEB (web))

22
Can Initialize
  • Have to do it two ways, one for simulator,
    another for hardware
  • //synthesis attribute INIT_00 of R1 is
    "08192A3B4C5... total of 256 bits (64 hex
    characters)..."
  • //synthesis attribute INIT_01 of R1 is
    "08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F0
    8192A3B4C5D6E7F
  • // Up to INIT_0F
  • Above is for hardware (next software)

23
For Simulation
  • //synopsys translate_off
  • defparam R1.INIT_00 64'h08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B
    4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F //
    256-bit hex value
  • defparam R1.INIT_01 64'h08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B
    4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F //
    256-bit hex value
  • ...
  • defparam R1.INIT_0F 64'h08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A
    3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F08192A3B4C5D6E7F // up
    to INIT_0F
  • //synopsys translate_on

24
Look at Test Code
  • My RAM loading example from undergrad class
  • http//www.cs.unc.edu/lastra/comp190/Assignments/
    block_ram_C.txt

25
Dynamic RAM
  • Capacitor can hold charge
  • Transistor acts as gate
  • No charge is a 0
  • Can add charge to store a 1
  • Then open switch (disconnect)
  • Can read by closing switch
  • Explanation next

26
Precharge and Sense Amps
  • Youll see precharge time
  • B is precharged to ½ V
  • Charge/no-charge on C will increase or decrease
    voltage
  • Sense amps detect this

27
DRAM Characteristics
  • Destructive Read
  • When cell read, charge removed
  • Must be restored after a read
  • Refresh
  • Also, theres steady leakage
  • Charge must be restored periodically

28
DRAM Logical Diagram
29
DRAM Read Signaling
  • Lower pin count by using same pins for row and
    column addresses

Delay until data available
30
DRAM Write Timing
31
DRAM Refresh
  • Many strategies w/ logic on chip
  • Here a row counter

32
CAS Before RAS
  • Set column address
  • Apply CAS first (opposite of RW)
  • Then toggle RAS enough times to cycle through row
    addresses
  • On-board refresh counter applies the row addresses

33
Timing
  • Say need to refresh every 64ms
  • Distributed refresh
  • Spread refresh out evenly over 64ms
  • Say on a 4Mx4 DRAM, refresh every 64ms/409615.6
    us
  • Total time spent is 0.25ms, but spread
  • Burst refresh
  • Same 0.25ms, but all at once
  • May not be good in a computer system
  • Refresh takes 1 or so of total time

34
Larger/Wider Memories
35
Bidirectional Lines
  • One set of data pins
  • Used as input for write
  • As output for read
  • Tri-state
  • Makes sense because dont need both at once

36
Page Mode DRAM
  • DRAMs made to read write blocks
  • Example
  • Assert RAS, leave asserted
  • Assert CAS multiple times to read sequence of
    data
  • Similar for writes

37
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
  • Common type in PCs late-90s
  • Burst transfers
  • Multiple banks
  • Pipelined
  • Start read in one bank after another
  • Come back and read the resulting values one after
    another

38
SDRAM on Xess Board
  • Relatively small at 128Mbits
  • 2M X 4 banks X 16 bits
  • Refresh every 64ms
  • Supports pipelining
  • Bidirectional data lines
  • Detailed info in a few slides

39
DDR DRAM
  • Double Data Rate SDRAM
  • Transfers data on both edges of the clock
  • Currently popular

40
RAMBUS DRAM (RDRAM)
  • Another attempt to alleviate pinout limits
  • Many (16-32) banks per chip
  • Made to be read/written in packets
  • Up to 400MHz bus speeds
  • But DDR doing very well also

41
DRAM Controllers
  • Very common to have circuit that controls memory
  • Handles banks
  • Handles refresh
  • Multiplexes column and row addresses
  • RAS and CAS timing
  • Northbridge on PC chip set

42
Next Specifics on Our Chip
  • Protocol for reading/writing
  • Activate row first
  • Then read/write with column
  • Initialization
  • Setting parameters

43
Block Diagram
44
Activate Row
45
Read (Select column)
46
Burst Reads
47
Read with Autoprecharge
48
Read w/o Autoprecharge
49
Random Reads
50
Alternating Banks
51
Single Write
52
Initializing
  • See P.9 of Micron datasheet
  • Just NOP commands for 100 us
  • Precharge all banks
  • Two Auto Refresh commands
  • Then load mode register

53
Mode Register
  • Several operating modes of SDRAM

1,2,4,8 or full page
Burst or single
2 or 3
Order or accesses
0
54
DRAM Links
  • DRAM on XSA-100 board
  • http//www.hynix.co.kr/datasheet/pdf/dram/(2)HY57V
    281620A(L)T-I.PDF
  • Low-Tech RAM description
  • http//www.arstechnica.com/paedia/r/ram_guide/ra
    m_guide.part1-1.html
  • Datasheets
  • http//www.hynix.co.kr/datasheet/pdf/dram/(2)HY57V
    281620A(L)T-I.PDF
  • http//download.micron.com/pdf/datasheets/dram/128
    msdram_f.pdf
  • http//www.infineon.com/cmc_upload/documents/018/3
    29/hb39s128CT.pdf
  • Verilog model
  • http//download.micron.com/downloads/models/verilo
    g/sdram/sdr/128meg/mt48lc8m16a2.zip

55
Assignment
  • Try Block RAM
  • Maybe to scan small stamps
  • Or as character/sprite device
  • Make DRAM controller to refresh screen
  • Deadline end of next week

56
Next Time
  • Thursday 9/11 read Kurt Akeley, "Reality Engine
    Graphics", SIGGRAPH 93
  • Link is
  • http//doi.acm.org/10.1145/166117.166131
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