[sdiy] SRAM versus DRAM

[Dan Snazelle]

if i can Just figure out how to use the I/O pins of modern SRAM than i will start using them in a second. they seem to be cheaper and obviously, do more.  it seems if i can just get past one problem, the whole ram world is open and cheap.

that maplin schematic sounds interesting and i am sure i could learn something from it.

the polyphony article was useful too.


thanks

>
> Dan,
>
> You're dead right that DRAM needs to be refreshed. The refresh is
> important because if you don't do it, your memory doesn't remember! I
> always thought it was pretty cheeky calling DRAM "memory" when it can
> only retain information for such a short time. Sort of the goldfish
> brain of the IC world.
>
> I think you're making life very difficult for yourself trying to find
> and use ancient chips that are more expensive (if you can find them
> at all) and not as good as more modern ones(larger/chaeper/faster).
> There are plenty of modern SRAMs about - why not use those? If you
> do, you'll find datasheets and so forth much more easily. If you did
> manage to come up with a good circuit, no-one else would be able to
> build it because they'd struggle as much as you have to find parts,
> and if it breaks down, you won't be able to repair it. All in all, it
> doesn't seem like a good way to go. Design with things that are
> common and cheap wherever possible.
>
> On a separate note, I've got a circuit for a Maplin "ADA" delay (8-
> bit digital delay) from the 80's. I'm not at home this week, but when
> I am I'll dig it out and send it over.
>
> Regards,
> Tom
>
> On 24 Jun 2009, at 01:15, 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
>>
>> in the case of a digital delay for example
>>
>> sorry for the endless questions on this topic
>>
>>
>> in many cases i cant even find the datasheets for these long gone
>> chips
>>
>> thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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