Capacitor is the storage element in DRAM
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) uses capacitors as the storage element to hold data. Here's a detailed explanation:
- What is a capacitor?
A capacitor is an electronic component that can store electrical energy in an electric field. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric.
- How does a capacitor work in DRAM?
In DRAM, each memory cell consists of a capacitor and a transistor. The capacitor stores a binary digit (0 or 1) in the form of electrical charge. When a cell needs to be read or written, the transistor acts as a switch to control the flow of data to and from the capacitor.
- Why is a capacitor used in DRAM?
Capacitors are used in DRAM because they can hold a charge for a short period of time, allowing the memory cell to retain data even when the power is turned off. However, due to their nature, capacitors in DRAM need to be periodically refreshed to maintain the stored data.
- Comparison with other storage elements
Unlike DRAM, other types of memory like SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) use flip-flops as storage elements, which do not require refreshing but are more expensive and consume more power.
In conclusion, the capacitor is the crucial storage element in DRAM due to its ability to store electrical charge temporarily and retain data even without power.