3 ms·

I'm so glad to see you tackle a DRAM since it's probably the one main component of a computer that is least understood since it is somewhat analog. Is dummy cel

by djmips 6y ago

I'm so glad to see you tackle a DRAM since it's probably the one main component of a computer that is least understood since it is somewhat analog. Is dummy cell an official term? It's perfectly fine but I thought it might be better described as a reference cell. I enjoy seeing self correcting designs like this. My question would be - if you were to contrast to modern DRAM is it quite similar or what are the differences? (I saw your chart at the end but I'm guessing that there is more similar than different in a modern DRAM?)

kens 6y ago
Dummy cell is the term used in the paper "Storage Array and Sense/Refresh Circuit for Single-Transistor Memory Cells" that introduced the idea. It's also the term used on the MK4116 datasheet and elsewhere. The capacitors in modern DRAMs are deep trenches, rather than a simple polysilicon plate. The trenches are 3.6 micrometers deep while the feature size is 45 nanometers, so they are remarkably deep. See the photos here: https://chipworksrealchips.blogspot.com/2014/02/intels-e-dram-shows-up-in-wild.html https://chipworksrealchips.blogspot.com/2014/02/intels-e-dra...