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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Introduction to Word Size Expansion
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Today, we'll discuss word size expansion. Can someone tell me why we might need this?
To increase the amount of data the RAM can handle at one time.
Exactly! By combining chips, we can expand memory capabilities. Can anyone guess what happens if we connect two 16Γ4 RAM chips together?
We can access 8 bits of data instead of just 4 bits.
Correct! This allows us to read and write larger amounts of data simultaneously. It's like adding more lanes to a highway to handle more traffic.
So, both chips would work together?
Yes, they share the same address lines to access corresponding data locations in both chips. Let's remember: 'Two chips work together for wider access!'
Implementation of Word Size Expansion
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Letβs dive into how two chips can be connected. Can someone describe what the connections would look like?
I think both RAM chips would need to share address and control lines.
Right! Each chip can access half of the data. RAM-1 stores the higher bits, while RAM-2 stores the lower bits. What's the advantage of this setup?
It allows for larger data processing without needing bigger chips!
Exactly! By using existing chips, we maintain efficiency and save costs.
How do they know which chip to read from?
The address lines guide both chips simultaneously, ensuring the right data is accessed. Always remember: 'Timing is key for chip collaboration!'
Practical Example of Word Size Expansion
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Letβs consider a practical example. If we want to expand a RAM chip to 8 bits using two 16Γ4 chips, how do we label this?
We could name the first chip RAM-1 and the second chip RAM-2.
Good job! And when the CPU processes data, how can it tell which chip to pull data from for a particular address?
It uses a combined address bus to direct requests to both chips, right?
Exactly! This system efficiently combines memory resources. Remember, 'Increasing connections means greater data flows!'
Does this apply to all types of memory chips?
This concept mostly applies to RAM. ROM applications differ but the principle of combining resources remains. Keep it in mind!
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
To achieve a larger word size than that of a single memory chip, two or more chips can be connected together to create a wider data bus. This process ensures that larger multi-bit data can be stored and accessed efficiently by the CPU.
Detailed
Word Size Expansion
When a system requires more memory capacity than a single RAM chip can provide, multiple chips can be combined to expand the word size. In this section, we look into how to expand the word size of a RAM chip, specifically taking a 16Γ4 RAM chip and increasing its capabilities to handle an 8-bit word size. The key concepts include the schematic arrangement needed to ensure both chips function together while maintaining synchrony for read and write operations. This setup allows each chip to handle part of the word, effectively doubling the data each can represent.
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Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Introduction to Word Size Expansion
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Let us take up the task of expanding the word size of an available 16Γ4 RAM chip from four bits to eight bits.
Detailed Explanation
The objective here is to increase the data capacity of a RAM chip. The original RAM chip has a format of 16Γ4, meaning it can store 16 different addresses, each with 4 bits of data. To expand this to 8 bits, we need to reconfigure how the RAM chips operate together, effectively doubling the amount of data each address can handle.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you have a box with 16 slots, and each slot can hold 4 small toys. If you want to store 8 toys in each slot instead, you'll need another box with the same number of slots (the second RAM chip) to hold the additional toys. When you look for toys, you will check both boxes simultaneously to get the full set of 8.
Configuration of RAM Chips
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Figure 15.22 shows a diagram where two such RAM chips have been used to achieve the desired effect. The arrangement is straightforward. Both chips are selected or deselected together.
Detailed Explanation
To achieve the expanded word size, the diagram depicts two RAM chips, referred to as RAM-1 and RAM-2, each of which stores 4 bits. These chips are wired together so that they can be accessed at the same time. When a read or write operation is initiated, both chips are activated simultaneously, which allows accessing both sets of bits for each memory location.
Examples & Analogies
Think of it like two adjacent lockers at a gym. If you have a code to open both, you can access items from both lockers at once. This setup allows you to grab 8 items (4 from each locker) seamlessly, just like accessing 8 bits of data from two RAM chips.
Common Address and Data Bus
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Also, the input that determines whether it is a βreadβ or βwriteβ operation is common to both chips. That is, both chips are selected for βreadβ or βwriteβ operation together.
Detailed Explanation
In this expanded configuration, a single address bus is used for both RAM chips. This means that when an address is sent to access data, the same address is sent to both RAM chips at once. This allows for synchrony between how data is retrieved or written, ensuring both chips always operate together, effectively sharing the same command signal.
Examples & Analogies
Consider the scenario of a library with two librarians working together. If someone asks for a book, both librarians look in their catalog at the same time. They will check both sections under the same request to ensure they provide the customer with the complete answer promptly.
Dividing Data Storage
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The memory locations corresponding to various address inputs store four higher-order bits in the case of RAM-1 and four lower-order bits in the case of RAM-2.
Detailed Explanation
With this setup, one RAM chip, RAM-1, is dedicated to storing the higher bits of the data (bits 4 to 7 for an 8-bit number), while the second RAM chip, RAM-2, stores the lower bits (bits 0 to 3). This division ensures that when accessing an address, the complete 8 bits can be assembled from bits that belong to different chips.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine assembling a jigsaw puzzle. Each half of your puzzle has unique pieces; the first half might have the sky, while the second half has the ground. When you join the two halves together, you have a complete picture. Similarly, combining the bits from both RAM chips creates a complete 8-bit data value.
Conclusion of Word Size Expansion
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In essence, each of the RAM chips stores half of the word. Since the address inputs are common, the same location in each chip is accessed at the same time.
Detailed Explanation
By organizing the RAM chips in this manner, we efficiently expand the word size without requiring a completely new memory architecture. The chips work in tandem, effectively doubling the storage capacity while maintaining operational efficiency.
Examples & Analogies
It's like having a team of two chefs in a kitchen who each prepare half of a gourmet dish. By working together, they can create a full meal without duplicating effort, just like the RAM chips combine their storage capacities to serve larger data sizes.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
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Combining Chips: To expand memory capacity, multiple RAM chips can be integrated to allow for larger data sizes without needing new hardware.
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Address Lines: Both chips share the same address bus, this allows them to operate together, providing the necessary data for processing.
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Efficiency: This method optimizes the use of available resources while enhancing data management.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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Connecting two 16Γ4 RAM chips to form a single 16Γ8 RAM chip for enhanced data handling capabilities.
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Implementing word size expansion in embedded systems using existing memory architecture.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
π΅ Rhymes Time
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To make the memory wide and neat, combine the chips, a memory feat.
π Fascinating Stories
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Once upon a time, two tiny RAM chips lived in a computer. They longed to store bigger numbers. One day, the CPU connected them, and together they became the best data duo, doubling their storage capacity!
π§ Other Memory Gems
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WCE - Word Capacity Expansion enables larger data processing!
π― Super Acronyms
BIC - 'Both in collaboration' to remember both chips work together.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Word Size
Definition:
The number of bits that a computer processor can process in a single operation.
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Term: RAM Chip
Definition:
A memory chip that provides temporary data storage for a computer.
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Term: Address Bus
Definition:
The collection of wires used to send addresses from the CPU to the memory.
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Term: Data Bus
Definition:
A system within a computer that transfers data between components.