This course covers device and circuit technologies for memory systems that play an essential role in logic systems such as microprocessors, system-on-chip (SOC) devices, field-programmed gate array (FPGA) devices, and microcontrollers. First, the instructor lectures on the organization of hierarchical memory systems, circuit technologies of memory subsystems using various memories. Second, fundamentals of CMOS circuits are briefly reviewed, and then students learn the operating principles of bistable circuits as a basis for CMOS-based memories. Third, students will gain an understanding of the details of various flip-flop and SRAM circuits, along with their applications for registers, register files, and caches. Fourth, the instructor will cover device and circuit technologies of large capacity memory DRAM. Finally, practically used nonvolatile memories, i.e., Flash and FeRAM, and emerging nonvolatile memories such as MRAM, ReRAM, and PRAM are discussed. The present status and future prospects of these memory devices and circuits are also discussed.
Through the course, the students will be able to
1) understand the concept and organization of memory hierarchy for logic systems.
2) comprehend the operating principles, microarchitectures, performance, and applications of CMOS-based bistable memories (latch, flip-flop, and SRAM).
3) comprehend the operating principles, microarchitectures, performance, and applications of nonvolatile memories (Flash, FeRAM, MRAM, ReRAM, and PRAM).
Corresponding educational goals are:
(1) Specialist skills Fundamental specialist skills
(4) Applied skills (inquisitive thinking and/or problem-finding skills) Organization and analysis
(7) Skills acquiring a wide range of expertise, and expanding it into more advanced and other specialized areas
memory hierarchy, resister, resister file, cache, bistable circut, latch, flip-flop, SRAM, DRAM, EPRAM, EEPROM, Flash, FeRAM, MRAM, ReRAM, PRAM
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Exercises will be carried out during the class to help students understand lectures
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | memory systems and their organization | Memory hierarchy, organization of memory systems |
Class 2 | fundamentals of CMOS devices and circuits | Modeling of CMOS devices, CMOS inverter, transfer gates, and advanced CMOS devices |
Class 3 | CMOS bistable circuit | Circuit onfiguration and operating principle of CMOS bistable circuits and latche applicationss |
Class 4 | Flip-flop | Circuit onfiguration, operating principle, performance, and applications of flip-flops |
Class 5 | SRAM | Circuit onfiguration, operating principle, microarchitectures, performance, and applications of SRAM |
Class 6 | DRAM | Device structure, circuit onfiguration Operating principle, architectures, and performance of DRAM |
Class 7 | ROM and Flash | Device structure, circuit onfiguration, Operating principle, architectures, performance, and applications of EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memry. |
Class 8 | MRAM and FeRAM | Fundamentals of Magnetic and ferroelectric materials. Operating principle, architectures, performance, and applications of MRAM and FeRAM |
None specified
Course materials will be provided
Evaluation will be based on the term-end examination.
None in particular