TNAL0101
UtRAM USAGE AND TIMING
TECHNICAL
NOTE
UtRAM USAGE AND TIMING
INTRODUCTION
DESIGN ACHIEVES SRAM SPECIFIC
OPERATIONS
The UtRAM was designed to work just like an SRAM - without
any waits or other overhead for precharging or refreshing its
internal DRAM cells. SAMSUNG Electronics(SAMSUNG) hides
these operations inside with advanced design technology -
those are not to be seen from outside. Precharging takes place
during every access, overlapped between the end of the cycle
and the decoding portion of the next cycle.
Hiding refresh is more difficult. Every row in every block must
be refreshed at least once during the refresh interval to prevent
data loss. SAMSUNG provides an internal refresh controller for
devices. When all accesses within refresh interval are directed
to one macro-cell, as can happen in signal processing applica-
tions, a more sophisticated approach is required to hide
refresh. The pseudo SRAM is sometimes used on these appli-
cations, which requires a memory controller that can hold off
accesses when a refresh operation is needed. SAMSUNGs’
unique qualitative advantage over these parts(in addition to
quantitative improvements in access speed and power con-
sumption) is that the UtRAM never need to hold off accesses,
and indeed it has no hold off signal. The circuitry that gives
SAMSUNG this advantage is fairly simple but has not previ-
ously been disclosed.
UtRAM is based on single-transistor DRAM cells. As with any
other DRAM, the data in these cells must be periodically
refreshed to prevent data loss. What makes the UtRAM unique
is that it offers a true SRAM style interface that hides all refresh
operations from the memory controller.
START WITH A DRAM TECHNOLOGY
The key point of UtRAM is its high speed and low power. This
high speed comes from the use of many small blocks such as
32Kbits each to create UtRAM arrays. The small blocks have
short word lines thus with little capacitance eliminating a major
factor of operating current dissipation in conventional DRAM
blocks.
Each independent macro-cell on a UtRAM device consists of a
number of these blocks. Each chip has one or more macro.
The address decoding logic is also fast. UtRAM performs a
complete read operation in every tRC, but UtRAM needs power
up sequence like DRAM.
Power Up Sequence and Diagram
1. Apply power.
2. Maintain stable power for a minium 200ms with CS=high.
3. Issue read operation at least 2 times.
AVOID TIMING
CS=VIL, UB or/and LB=VIL
ZZ=VIH
CS=VIH
Following figures show you an abnormal timing which is not
supported on UtRAM and its solution.
Initial State
(Wait 200ms)
Power On
Active
If your system has a timing which sustains invalid states over
4ms at read mode like Figure 1, there are some guide lines for
proper operation of UtRAM.
Read Operation(2 times)
When your system has multiple invalid address signals shorter
than tRC on the timing shown in Figure 1, UtRAM needs a nor-
mal read timing(tRC) during that cycle(Figure 2) or needs to
toggle CS once to h’ igh’for about t’RC(’Figure 3).
Figure 1.
Over 4ms
CS
WE
Less than tRC
Address
Put on read operation every 4ms
Figure 2.
Over 4ms
CS
WE
tRC
Address
SRAM PRODUCT PLANNING
SAMSUNG Electronics CO., LTD. reserves the right to change products or specifications without notice.
LIM-011025
Ó2002 SAMSUNG Electronics CO., LTD.
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