Memory controller: Difference between revisions

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A '''memory controller''' is a digital circuit that manages the flow of data going to and from a computer's [[main memory]]. A memory controller can be a separate chip or integrated into another chip, such as being placed on the same [[die (integrated circuit)|die]] or as an integral part of a [[microprocessor]]; in the latter case, it is usually called an '''integrated memory controller''' ('''IMC'''). A memory controller is sometimes also called a '''memory chip controller''' ('''MCC''')<ref>Comptia A+ Certification Exam Guide, Seventh Edition, by Mike Meyers, in the glossary, bottom of page 1278: "Chip that handles memory requests from the CPU."</ref> or a '''memory controller unit''' ('''MCU''').<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PJ49xcoRb1QC&q=%22memory+controller+unit%22&pg=PA100|title=Maximizing Performance and Scalability with IBM WebSphere|access-date=6 February 2015|isbn=9781590591307|last1=Neat|first1=Adam G.|date=2003-12-04}}</ref>

Memory controllers contain the logic necessary to read and write to DRAM, and to "refresh" the DRAM. Without constantperiodic refreshesrefresh, DRAM will lose the data written to it as the capacitors leak their charge within a fraction of a second. Some memory controllers include [[error detection and correction]] hardware.

A common form of memory controller is the [[memory management unit]] (MMU) which in many [[operating system]]s implements [[virtual addressing]].