Non-volatile random-access memory: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:10, 11 September 2020

Revision as of 19:44, 30 October 2020

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'''Non-volatile random-access memory''' ('''NVRAM''') is [[random-access memory]] that retains data without applied power. This is in contrast to [[dynamic random-access memory]] (DRAM) and [[static random-access memory]] (SRAM), which both maintain data only for as long as power is applied, or such forms of memory as magnetic tape, which cannot be randomly accessed but which retains data indefinitely without electric power.

[[Read-only memory]] devices can be used to store system [[firmware]] in [[embedded system]]s such as an automotive ignition system control or home applianceappliances. They are also used to hold the initial processor instructions required to [[Bootstrapping|bootstrap]] a computer system. Read-write memory can be used to store calibration constants, passwords, or setup information, and may be integrated into a [[microcontroller]].

If the main memory of a computer system were non-volatile, it would greatly reduce the time required to start a system after a power interruption. Current existing types of semiconductor non-volatile memory have limitations in memory size, power consumption, or operating life that make them impractical for main memory. Development is going on for the use of non-volatile memory chips as a system's main memory, as [[persistent memory]]. Known as [[NVDIMM#Types|NVDIMM-P]], it is expected to be released in 2020.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.jedec.org/news/pressreleases/jedec-ddr5-nvdimm-p-standards-under-development|title=JEDEC DDR5 & NVDIMM-P Standards Under Development|date=2017-03-30|publisher=[[JEDEC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.jedec.org/news/pressreleases/jedec-hold-workshops-ddr5-lpddr5-nvdimm-p-standards|title=JEDEC to Hold Workshops for DDR5, LPDDR5 & NVDIMM-P Standards|date=2019-09-05|publisher=JEDEC}}</ref>