SRAM

Static random-access memory (SRAM) is a type of semiconductor memory that uses bistable latching circuitry to store each bit. The term static differentiates it from dynamic RAM (DRAM) which must be periodically refreshed. SRAM exhibits data remanence, but is still volatile in the conventional sense that data is eventually lost when the memory is not powered.

Each bit in an SRAM is stored on four transistors (M1, M2, M3, M4) that form two cross-coupled inverters. This storage cell has two stable states which are used to denote 0 and 1. Two additional access transistors serve to control the access to a storage cell during read and write operations. A typical SRAM uses six MOSFETs to store each memory bit. In addition to such 6T SRAM, other kinds of SRAM chips use 8T, 10T, or more transistors per bit. This is sometimes used to implement more than one (read and/or write) port, which may be useful in certain types of video memory and register files implemented with multi-ported SRAM circuitry.


SRAM operation
An SRAM cell has three different states. It can be in: standby (the circuit is idle), reading (the data has been requested) and writing (updating the contents). The SRAM to operate in read mode and write mode should have "readability" and "write stability" respectively. The three different states work as follows:

Standby
If the word line is not asserted, the access transistors M5 and M6 disconnect the cell from the bit lines. The two cross-coupled inverters formed by M1 – M4 will continue to reinforce each other as long as they are connected to the supply.

Reading
Assume that the content of the memory is a 1, stored at Q. The read cycle is started by precharging both the bit lines to a logical 1, then asserting the word line WL, enabling both the access transistors. The second step occurs when the values stored in Q and Q are transferred to the bit lines by leaving BL at its precharged value and discharging BL through M1 and M5 to a logical 0 (i. e. eventually discharging through the transistor M1 as it is turned on because the Q is logically set to 1). On the BL side, the transistors M4 and M6 pull the bit line toward VDD, a logical 1 (i. e. eventually being charged by the transistor M4 as it is turned on because Q is logically set to 0). If the content of the memory was a 0, the opposite would happen and BL would be pulled toward 1 and BL toward 0. Then these BL and BL will have a small difference of delta between them and then these lines reach a sense amplifier, which will sense which line has higher voltage and thus will tell whether there was 1 stored or 0. The higher the sensitivity of sense amplifier, the faster the speed of read operation is.

Writing
The start of a write cycle begins by applying the value to be written to the bit lines. If we wish to write a 0, we would apply a 0 to the bit lines, i.e. setting BL to 1 and BL to 0. This is similar to applying a reset pulse to an SR-latch, which causes the flip flop to change state. A 1 is written by inverting the values of the bit lines. WL is then asserted and the value that is to be stored is latched in. Note that the reason this works is that the bit line input-drivers are designed to be much stronger than the relatively weak transistors in the cell itself, so that they can easily override the previous state of the cross-coupled inverters. Careful sizing of the transistors in an SRAM cell is needed to ensure proper operation.

Types of SRAM

Non-volatile SRAM
Non-volatile SRAMs, or nvSRAMs, have standard SRAM functionality, but they save the data when the power supply is lost, ensuring preservation of critical information. nvSRAMs are used in a wide range of situations—networking, aerospace, and medical, among many others —where the preservation of data is critical and where batteries are impractical.

Asynchronous SRAM
Asynchronous SRAM are available from 4 Kb to 64 Mb. The fast access time of SRAM makes asynchronous SRAM appropriate as main memory for small cache-less embedded processors used in everything from industrial electronics and measurement systems to hard disks and networking equipment, among many other applications. They are used in various applications like switches and routers, IP-Phones, IC-Testers, DSLAM Cards, to Automotive Electronics.

By transistor type

• Bipolar junction transistor (used in TTL and ECL) — very fast but consumes a lot of power
• MOSFET (used in CMOS) — low power and very common today

By function

• Asynchronous — independent of clock frequency; data in and data out are controlled by address transition
• Synchronous — all timings are initiated by the clock edge(s). Address, data in and other control signals are associated with the clock signals

By feature

• ZBT (ZBT stands for zero bus turnaround) — the turnaround is the number of clock cycles it takes to change access to the SRAM from write to read and vice versa. The turnaround for ZBT SRAMs or the latency between read and write cycle is zero.
• syncBurst (syncBurst SRAM or synchronous-burst SRAM) — features synchronous burst write access to the SRAM to increase write operation to the SRAM
• DDR SRAM — Synchronous, single read/write port, double data rate I/O
• Quad Data Rate SRAM — Synchronous, separate read & write ports, quadruple data rate I/O

By flip-flop type

• Binary SRAM
• Ternary SRAM