Книга: Embedded Linux Primer: A Practical, Real-World Approach
7.2.1. DRAM Controller
7.2.1. DRAM Controller
DRAM chips cannot be directly read from or written to like other microprocessor bus resources. They require specialized hardware controllers to enable read and write cycles. To further complicate matters, DRAM must be constantly refreshed or the data contained within will be lost. Refresh is accomplished by sequentially reading each location in DRAM in a systematic manner and within the timing specifications set forth by the DRAM manufacturer. Modern DRAM chips support many modes of operation, such as burst mode and dual data rate for high-performance applications. It is the DRAM controller's responsibility to configure DRAM, keep it refreshed within the manufacturer's timing specifications, and respond to the various read and write commands from the processor.
Setting up a DRAM controller is the source of much frustration for the newcomer to embedded development. It requires detailed knowledge of DRAM architecture, the controller itself, the specific DRAM chips being used, and the overall hardware design. Though this is beyond the scope of this book, the interested reader can learn more about this important concept by referring to the references at the end of this chapter. Appendix D, "SDRAM Interface Considerations," provides more background on this important topic.
Very little can happen in an embedded system until the DRAM controller and DRAM itself have been properly initialized. One of the first things a bootloader must do is to enable the memory subsystem. After it is initialized, memory can be used as a resource. In fact, one of the first actions many bootloaders perform after memory initialization is to copy themselves into DRAM for faster execution.
Оглавление книги
- D.1. SDRAM Basics
- D.1.1. SDRAM Refresh
- D.3. SDRAM Setup
- Pin layout of a DRAM
- Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
- Appendix D. SDRAM Interface Considerations
- 1.2 Microcontroller Systems
- 1.3 Microcontroller Features
- 1.4 Microcontroller Architectures
- 3.2 PIC Microcontroller Input-Output Port Programming
- PROJECT 8.1 — USB-Based Microcontroller Output Port
- 8.5 PIC18 Microcontroller USB Bus Interface