DRAM

As DRAM capacity grows, what tends to become a problem with respect to refresh?

  1. AMore rows must be refreshed, so a larger share of time and power goes to refresh
  2. BThe refresh period must be lengthened
  3. CRefresh becomes unnecessary
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Answer: A. More rows must be refreshed, so a larger share of time and power goes to refresh

As capacity increases, more cells must be refreshed within the same time. This increases both the time during which normal access is unavailable and the power spent on refresh, affecting performance and power consumption. Techniques such as per-bank refresh have been introduced to mitigate this.

  • A. Correct. The refresh burden increases.
  • B. Retention time does not get longer with capacity, so the period does not need to lengthen.
  • C. As long as it is DRAM, refresh is required.
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More DRAM questions

  1. In DRAM cell arrays, which bit-line arrangement places the paired bit lines side by side within the same array?
  2. Which correctly describes the idea of "8n prefetch" used in memories such as DDR4 SDRAM?
  3. In DDR-family DRAM, which feature places termination resistors inside the DRAM chip, with controllable on/off, to suppress signal reflections?
  4. Some DRAM cells have a data retention time that irregularly switches between longer and shorter values over time. What is this phenomenon called?
  5. Why is a boosted voltage (VPP), higher than the supply voltage, used to drive DRAM word lines?