Digital System Design

Lecture – 6
Memory Device (ROM and PLA)
Memory Device

• Device to which binary information is transferred for storage

• And from which information is available for processing as needed

Memory Unit

• A collection of cells capable of storing a large quantity of binary

information

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Types of Memories

In digital systems, there are two types of memories:

1. RAM
2. ROM

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ROM (Read Only Memory)

• Non-volatile
• Retains its contents even when the computer is shut off
• Generally used to start the computer up and load the operating
system
• A memory device in which a fixed set of binary information is
stored
• The binary information must first be specified by the user
• Then embedded in the unit to form the required interconnection
pattern

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ROM (Contd.)

• Includes both the decoder and the OR gates within a single IC

package
• Particular function implementation is done by “programming”
• Very often used to implement complex combinational circuit in
one IC package
• Thus eliminates all interconnecting wires
• Once a pattern is established, it remains fixed even when the
power goes off
• ROM has special internal links that can be fused or broken

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ROM Structure (Contd.)

• Consists of n input lines and m output lines

• 2n distinct addresses possible with n inputs
• Each bit combination of the input variables called as address
• Each bit combination coming out of the output lines known as word
• Number of bits per word = number of output lines m
• So, a word equals m bits
• An output word can be selected by a unique address
• A ROM is defined by number of words (2𝑛) and the number
of bits (m) per word.
• 2𝑛 X 𝑚

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An Example of a ROM

• Consider a 32×8 ROM i.e, 256-bit ROM

• The unit consists of 32 words of 8 bits each
• Here 32=25,means 5 input lines
• Input 00000 means word number 0 will be selected
• Input 11111 means word number 31 will be selected
• Design a 2048-bit ROM having word size 8 bits each?
• Design a 2048-bit ROM having word size 4 bits each?

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Internal Logic Construction of a 32 X 4 ROM

The 32 outputs of the decoder are

connected through links to each OR
gate. Each link can be fused or
broken as desired.

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Combinational Logic Implementation Using ROM

For an n-input, m-output combinational circuit, we need 𝑎 2𝑛 X 𝑚 ROM

When a combinational circuit is implemented using

ROM, the functions must be expressed in sum of
minterms or by a truth table.
The truth table gives all the information for
programming a ROM.

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ROM with AND-OR Gates

ROM Size = 4 X 2
Number of Links = ?

(b) ROM with AND-OR Gates

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ROM with AND-OR-Invert Gates

Why Inverters:
Some ROM units come
with an inverter after
each OR gates.

(c) ROM with AND-OR-Invert Gates

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Example
Design a combinational circuit using a ROM. The circuit accepts a 3 bit
number and generates an output binary number equal to the square of
the input number.

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Example (Contd.)

The three inputs specify

eight words of 4-bits
each.

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Types of ROMs
ROMs may be programmed in two ways:
-mask programming
-programmable read only memory (PROM)

Mask Programming:
• Done by the manufacturer during the last fabrication process of the unit.
• The manufacturer makes the mask for the paths to produce 1’s or 0’s
according to the customers truth table.
• It is economical only if large quantities of the same ROM configuration are
to be manufactured.

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Types of ROMs (Contd.)
PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory):
• Economical for small quantities of ROMs
• The links in PROM are broken as per application
• User can use his own laboratory to achieve the desired relationship
between input address and stored words
• Special units called PROM programmers are available commercially
to facilitate the procedure
• PROM is a hardware procedure.
• So, hardware procedure for ROM or PROM is irreversible
• Once programmed, permanent fixed pattern and cannot be altered
• Unit must be discarded if the bit pattern is to be changed

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Types of ROMs (Contd.)
ERASABLE PROM (EPROM):
• Can be restructured to the initial value even though it has been
changed previously
• When placed under a special ultraviolet light for a given period time,
the short wave radiation discharges the internal gates that serve as
constant
• After erasure, the ROM returns to its initial state and can be
reprogrammed
• Some ROMs can be erased with electrical signal instead of ultraviolet
light which are called Electrically Alterable ROMs (EAROMs)

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Why it is called Read-Only Memory?

• Memory Designates a storage unit

• Read signifies the contents of a word specified by an address in a
storage unit which is placed at the output terminals
• So, a memory unit with a fixed word pattern that can be read out
upon application of a given address
• The bit pattern in the ROM is permanent and cannot be changed
during normal operation

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Usage of ROM

• To implement complex combinational circuits from truth tables

• Converting from one binary code to another (e.g., ASCII to EBCDIC
and vice versa)
• For arithmetic functions such as multipliers
• For displaying characters in a cathode-ray tube
• For applications which require a large number of inputs and outputs
• In the design of control units of digital systems
• A control unit that utilizes a ROM to store binary control information
is called a microprogrammed control unit

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Programmable Logic Array (PLA)
• Programmable Logic Array(PLA) is a fixed architecture logic device
with programmable AND gates followed by programmable OR gates.
• More economical to use when the don’t care conditions are excessive
• Similar to ROM, but does not provide full decoding i.e., does not
generate all the minterms
• The decoder is replaced by a group of AND gates, where each can be
programmed to generate a product term of the input variables
• The AND and OR gates inside the PLA has links among them
• Functions are implemented in sum of products form by opening
appropriate links and leaving the desired connections

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Programmable Logic Array (Contd.)

• n inputs, m outputs, k product terms, m sum terms

• Product terms constitute a group of k AND gates
• Sum terms constitute a group of m OR gates
• The size of a PLA = n X m X k
• A typical PLA contains 16 inputs, 48 product terms and 8 outputs
• Number of programmed links = 2n X k + k X m + m, whereas that of a ROM is
2n X m
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An example of PLA

Inputs, n = 3
Product terms, k = 3
Outputs, m = 2
So, PLA size= ?

• As with ROM, PLA can be mask programmable and field programmable

• With a mask programmable PLA, customer must submit a PLA program
table to the manufacturer
• Field programmable PLA is called FPLA and it is like as PROM
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PLA Implementation Example
Consider the following combinational circuit as a truth table:

(b) Map Simplification

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PLA Implementation Example (Contd.)

T: if output inverter is to be bypassed

C: For complement

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PLA Implementation Example (Contd.)

(d)PLA Diagram

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Designing a Digital System with PLA

• Reduce the number of distinct product terms

• The number of literals in a product is not important since we
have all input variables
• Both the truth value and the complement value should be
simplified
• See which can be expressed with fewer product terms
• And which one provides product terms that are common to
other functions

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PLA Implementation Example - 2

A combinational circuit is defined by the functions:

Implement the circuit with a PLA having three inputs, four product terms
and two outputs.

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PLA Implementation Example – 2 (Contd.)

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PLA Implementation Example – 2 (Contd.)

***Draw the PLA Circuit Diagram.

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Applications of PLA
• PLA is used to provide control over datapath.
• PLA is used as a counter.
• PLA is used as a decoders.
• PLA is used as a BUS interface in programmed I/O.
• It defines various states in an instruction set, and produces the next state (by
conditional branching)

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