[sdiy] SRAM versus DRAM

[Dave Manley]

Dan Snazelle wrote:
> 
> in a project that calls for SRAM can you use DRAM instead?
> 
> I know they are fundamentally different in that one type has to be refreshed  but i suppose i do not understand
> WHY the refresh is important

Dan,

This is a really basic question that you should do some research on. 
The basic answer is: a DRAM stores the 1/0 value in a leaky capacitor. 
If the capacitor is not refreshed, it will lose the stored value.  The 
refresh rate is set so that all the caps in the memory can be refreshed 
before any of them have time to change value. If your application 
periodically accesses the memory faster than the refresh rate, in a way 
that satisfies the refresh requirements, then a DRAM can be treated as a 
SRAM.

-Dave