SDRAM Full Form

The Full Form of SDRAM is Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory.

Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM)- ‘Synchronous’ relates to the behaviour of the Dynamic Random Access Memory type that synchronizes with the clock system of the computer, thus making it easier to manage it quicker. A classic DRAM would respond immediately to the modifications as per the control inputs. SDRAM speed, in the meanwhile, is measured in MHz instead of nanoseconds. Samsung KM48SL2000 memory chip, with its 16Mb capacity, is the first commercial SDRAM.

PC memory accesses are sequential and designed to fetch all the bits in a burst as fast as possible. Hence, SDRAM makes the best of this fact. Meanwhile, an on-chip burst counter enables the fast increment of the column part of the address, thus considerably increasing the speed of retrieving the details in the sequential reads. The block size of the needed memory location is given by the memory controller, while the SDRAM chip provided the bits as quickly as the CPU could imbibe them. For the process, the chip used a clock to synchronize the memory chip’s timing with the CPU of the system clock.

History of SDRAM

• Produced by Samsung Electronics, making use of a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) fabrication process in 1992
• SDRAM was later mass-produced in 1993
• By 2000, every type of DRAM in modern computers were replaced by SDRAM as it delivered better performance and speed
• Since its origin or conception, SDRAM has undergone changes and the recently updated version delivers better performance. Given below are some generations of SDRAM:
  • SDR SDRAM
  • DDR SDRAM
  • DDR2 SDRAM
  • DDR3 SDRAM
  • DDR4 SDRAM
  • DDR5 SDRAM

Specifications of SDRAM

•  SDRAM is popular because of the fast operation speed. The access time for SDRAM is 6 to 12 NS (nanoseconds).
• While the DDR makes use of both edges of the clock, SDRAM utilizes only one edge.
• SDRAM transmits only one signal within the clock cycle, while the DDR transfers data twice within the clock cycle.

Advantages of SDRAM

• It’s very fast in comparison to other RAMs
• More efficient, delivers 4 times better performance over other RAMs
• Synchronized with the system clock

Disadvantages of SDRAM

• Cannot be used with older versions of the motherboard
• Operates using a single data rate, thus allowing for only tasks per clock cycle

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