Static RAM and Dynamic RAM

Computers use both static and dynamic RAM. Here we will find out what are the differences of these two categories of RAM considering following aspects:

How these two types are designed
How these operate
Issues with each type
What is the most fast and what is most cheap
Where these memories are used in our computers

Dynamic RAM
This is the most common type of RAM in use today. In a dynamic RAM chip, a bit is stored in a single memory cell. Each memory cell includes a transistor and a capacitor these transistors and capacitors are extremely small so that a single chip can hold millions of memory cells.

How these cells operate
In a memory cell, the capacitor holds electrons to store a 1; to store a 0, the capacitor is emptied. The transistor serves as a switch to allow the memory controller of the chip to read or change the state of a capacitor.

Problem with dynamic RAM
The problem with capacitors is capacitors have leakages so those can’t keep electrons for a long time without getting discharged frequently. So in a dynamic RAM either the CPU or the memory controller has to recharge all capacitors which stores 1 before those get discharged. This automatic refresh has to take place thousands of times per second. This refresh process takes time and slows down memory operations.

Static RAM
Static RAM stores a bit in a completely different mechanism called flip-flop which does not need a recharge.

Ok now what’s wrong with Static RAM?
To implement a flip-flop it takes 4 or 6 transistors so when compared to dynamic RAM Static RAM take more space so that makes less memory per chip and it takes much more parts to store a bit. Due to these two reasons, Static RAM has become very expensive.

Where in our computer these two memories are used?
Since Static RAM is fast and expensive whereas Dynamic RAM is cheap and slow, the speed sensitive cache area in the CPU is created of Static RAM while the large RAM area is made of comparatively cheaper Dynamic RAM.

Further reading (Flip-Flops): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flop_(electronics)
Source: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question452.htm

New Processor Technology...

I was surfing through several technical sites to find out what new technologies have raised in the hardware field then I found this interesting innovation by Intel then thought to introduce it in my blog to you all… Intel unveiled their next innovation, the Hafnium based Intel 45nm Process Technology Which is, according to Gordon Moore [ Intel co-founder ], The biggest change in Transistor Technology in 40 Years. This new 45nm has following benefits over its big brother, 65nm technology.

• 45nm can store approximately twice the transistor density, for lower chip sises or increased transistor counts.
• Approximately 30% reduction of transistor-switching power.
• Greater than 20-percent improvement in transistor-switching speed or a greater than 5 times reduction in source-drain leakage power.
• Greater than 10 times reduction in transistor gate oxide leakage for lower power requirements and increased battery life.

Intel has introduced its smallest chip which is called Atom where they have assembled 47 million transistors on a single chip measuring less than 25mm² while still delivering the power and performance we need.

Do you want to feel how small this technology is…?

• There are 1 billion nanometers (nm) in one meter. A meter is approximately 3 feet. ? The original transistor built by Bell Labs in 1947 could be held in your hand, while hundreds of Intel’s new 45nm transistors can fit on the surface of a single red blood cell.
• If a house shrunk at the same pace transistors have, you would not be able to see a house without a microscope. To see the 45nm transistor, you need a very advanced microscope.
• You could fit more than 2,000 45nm transistor gates across the width of a human hair.
• You could fit more than 30 million 45nm transistors onto the head of a pin, which measures approximately 1.5 million nm (1.5 mm) in diameter.
• More than 2 million 45nm transistors could fit on the period at the end of this sentence (estimated to be 1/10 square millimeter in area).
• A 45nm transistor can switch on and off approximately 300 billion times a second. A beam of light travels less than a tenth of an inch during the time it takes a 45nm transistor to switch on and off.

Isn’t this interesting… ?

Intel Logos for Atom Processors:

Why fuel prices go sky high..?

Yesterday when I was returning home with my father, all refueling centers were crowded. We guessed that the fuel prices may be going up again since yesterdays midnight so everyone wanted to fill their tanks before the price gets updated.

After reaching home I saw the news saying that the Diesel prices have been raised by 25%.

So I thought this would be a good topic to return to the blogging world...

Crude oil prices has raised as never before in the history...
According to statistics crude oil prices has never reached over 80 dollars in its history. The recent peak has occurred while Iran/Iraq war but it had only reached around 70 dollars.

Does OPEC do its duty..?
According to what I found in my small research, OPEC has not earned much of good comments in controlling oil prices.
As it seems Saudi Arabia has played a major role towards keeping the oil price in a firm level but the support from other OPEC members have been less.

For an example:

• During 1979 to 1980 period where crude oil prices were increased rapidly, Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ahmed Yamani repeatedly warned other members of OPEC that high prices would lead to a reduction in demand. His warnings fell on deaf ears.

• In periods where OPEC could not keep its members from producing oil, Saudi Arabia cut its production to control oil prices.

There are many facts about OPEC's failures I'll just extract an old joke which shows the image that world has about OPEC;
What is the difference between OPEC and the Texas Railroad Commission? OPEC doesn't have any Texas Rangers!

Does the Value of Dollar Affect towards fuel price..?
“The prices are high due to the recession in the United States and the economic crisis, which has touched several countries, a situation that has an effect on the value of the dollar. Each time the dollar falls 1 per cent, the price of the barrel rises by $4 and of course vice versa.”
Comments by Chakib Khelil, Algeria’s energy minister

So what the future of crude oil prices is going to be...
Is it going to settle in near future? or will we have to park our cars in our porches and use public transport..?

This statement of OPEC’s president would answer that question:
"OPEC’s president on Monday warned oil prices could hit $200 a barrel and there would be little the cartel could do to help"

Hmm... It seems like the day we would be dreaming to take our own car in to the road is not that far..!

Visit following site for interesting statistics on crude oil production and prices throughout the history
[ http://www.wtrg.com/prices.htm ]

Coming back to life...

Hmmm... a gap of two years between two posts..!

I have not posted any posts since 2006... I opened this blog when I was in final stage of my final year as an undergraduate. I always postponed the date to publish the next post by days. What can I see... those single days have added up to two years without publishing a post. I think this would be a very good example for what they say "Do today's work, today" and a great lesson to me.

Anyway, I will continue posting today and make sure I publish regularly.

So if anyone of you visited this page, Thank You, and please comment so I can correct me.

PS: Ah... By the way, I completed by degree successfully and now I am a Software Engineer at Virtusa Corp. [ WWW.VIRTUSA.COM ]

Regards,
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