Eeprom

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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EEPROM is a kind of memory that can be only read by the user and modification is possible on the ROM. This memory system is different from the other commonly available memory system as those systems can only be read but the user cannot make any type of modification.

The full form of EEPROM is Electrically Erasable Program Read-Only Memory. As the name suggests this program is erasable only with the help of electrical pulses. This provides the facility of writing and erasing electrically which makes programming the EEPROM faster.

Erasing for reprogramming becomes easier as there is no need to take out the chip from the circuit board. There is another type of EEPROM which functions on flash memory and uses the normal voltage of the computer to write and erase the program.

Selective programming can also be done on the EEPROM chip which is advantageous as the user can erase programs from selected cells and rewrite another program in that cell. So the erasing and writing work can be done on a section of the chip without altering the programs on the rest of the chip.

Advantages and Limitations of EEPROM ...
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The data that has been stored in the EEPROM chip is permanent and can be kept stored in the chip for many years it will only be removed when the user wipes it off for reprogramming. Secondly there is no fear of losing the data even if the electricity is turned off.

But the limitation is there that is if the wiping is done frequently it may damage the oxide insulated layer so it is better to write such data which does not require frequent change and needs to be stored for a long time.

But as technology is advancing many changes are being implemented and more advanced facilities are being provided. In the same way the EEPROM which are being made nowadays can be rewritten nearly a million times without causing any type of damage to the chip. Failure of the EEPROM chip rarely takes place.

The problem that may occur is that the data in the memory may get corrupted due to high voltage or due to some other problem in the computer but as soon as it is reprogrammed it starts functioning just like a new EEPROM chip.

The EEPROM has two main functions in the monitor that is when the monitor is switched on all the stored data in the EEPROM is copied in the microprocessor. The current setting of the monitor is stored in the EEPROM and whenever any change is made in the current setting the microprocessor updates the changed setting in the EEPROM.
Learn more about EEPROM and EPROM at tech-faq.com.