Memory Controllers
Memory controllers are digital circuits that manage the data flow to and from a computer’s memory system. They are located in the central processing unit (CPU) or the motherboard. Memory controllers use current sent throughout the system to refresh, read, and write the RAM (random access memory). Read More
Also known as memory controllers units (MCUs) or memory chip controllers (MCCs), memory controllers are responsible for the exchange of data between the CPU and memory. They also determine a computer system’s memory speed and type, memory particle data depth and width, memory banks available, and the maximum memory capacity.
Most memory controllers are equipped with error detection and correction hardware. Some have dual channels. These controllers work together to allow simultaneous read and write operations.
The Working Principles of Memory Controllers
Memory controllers follow four basic principles: memory capacity, memory frequency, timing parameters, and operating voltage.
- Memory capacity is essential because it has a significant effect on the overall performance of the whole system. Single memory capacity can range from 1GB, 2GB, to 4GB, with the maximum at 8GB and 16GB.
- A system’s memory has an operating frequency of its own. A higher memory frequency means faster memory reach.
- Timing parameters are categorized into four values: CAS Latency Control also known as tCL, tRP/Row Precharge Timing, RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD), and Min RAS Active Timing (tRAS).
- The operating voltage refers to the required memory voltage. For DDR2, it’s more or less 1.8V and 1.5V For DDR3 memory, it’s approximately 135V.
Variants
Memory controllers have several variants, namely:
- Multichannel memory
- Double data rate (DDR) memory
- Flash memory controller
- Fully buffered memory
Flash memory devices like USB memory sticks are popular examples of flash memory controllers.
Parts from Memory Controllers Category
NONVOLATILE RAM CNTRL, DIP-8; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile RAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:DIP; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:-40°C RoHS Compliant: Yes
NONVOLATILE RAM CNTRL, WSOIC-16; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile RAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:-; No. of Pins:16Pins; Operating Temperature Min:-40°C RoHS Compliant: Yes
NONVOLATILE RAM CNTRL, NSOIC-8; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile RAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:NSOIC; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:0°C RoHS Compliant: Yes
NONVOLATILE RAM CNTRL, NSOIC-8; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile RAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:NSOIC; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:0°C RoHS Compliant: Yes
NONVOLATILE SRAM CNTRL, WSOIC-16; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile SRAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:WSOIC; No. of Pins:16Pins; Operating Temperature Min:-40°CRoHS Compliant: Yes
NONVOLATILE SRAM CNTRL, NSOIC-8; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile SRAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:NSOIC; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:-40°C RoHS Compliant: Yes
NONVOLATILE SRAM CNTRL, WSOIC-16; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile SRAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:-; Supply Voltage Min:2.7V; Supply Voltage Max:3.6V; Controller IC Case Style:-; No. of Pins:16Pins; Operating Temperature Min:-40°C RoHS Compliant: Yes
NONVOLATILE SRAM CNTRL, NSOIC-8; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile SRAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:-; Supply Voltage Min:2.7V; Supply Voltage Max:3.6V; Controller IC Case Style:NSOIC; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:-40°C RoHS Compliant: Yes
NVSRAM W/LI BATTERY MONITOR, 85DEG C; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile SRAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:-; Supply Voltage Min:2.7V; Supply Voltage Max:3.6V; Controller IC Case Style:SOIC; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:-40°CRoHS Compliant: Yes
CONTROLLER, CMOS SRAM, 5V, 16SOIC; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile SRAM; Voltage Tolerance ±:10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:SOIC; No. of Pins:16Pins; Operating Temperature RoHS Compliant: Yes
COMPARATOR, 5VIN, 10NS, TTL, 8SOIC; Memory Controller Type:-; Voltage Tolerance ±:-; Supply Voltage Min:-; Supply Voltage Max:-; Controller IC Case Style:-; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:0°C; Operating Temperature RoHS Compliant: Yes
SINGLE SRAM CONTROLLER, 1210, DIP8; Memory Controller Type:Nonvolatile RAM; Voltage Tolerance :10%; Supply Voltage Min:4.5V; Supply Voltage Max:5.5V; Controller IC Case Style:DIP; No. of Pins:8Pins; Operating Temperature Min:0 C; RoHS Compliant: Yes