EPROM Full Form

EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory is a kind of nonvolatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices for storing data that must be retained even when the power is turned off. Unlike standard ROM (Read Only Memory) which is permanently programmed at the time of manufacturing. EPROM can be programmed again and erased a number of times making it a versatile choice for storing firmware and other important software.

What is EPROM?

It is a memory chip that is non-volatile in nature that is it can hold the data even after the power supply is stopped. It can be reused again and again as it is easily programmable and erasable. A chip that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to write and erase data is called an EPROM Each transistor in the array that makes up the chip has the capacity to store a small amount of data. A specialized tool known as a programmer is used to program these transistors by applying high voltage to the chip to store data. The chip is exposed to UV radiation when it becomes essential to erase the data, which resets all of the transistors to their initial states.

Types of EPROM Technology

There are mainly two types of EPROM technology exist:

• UV-EPROM: Programming a UV-EPROM requires a high voltage. As the name suggests it is removed by passing UV light through the chip's window. The majority of UV-EPROM chips have a 20-year data retention period and a high read cycle count.
• One-Time Programmable (OTP) EPROM: EPROM that can be programmed once (OTP). With one significant exception an OTP EPROM is comparable to a UV-EPROM: it lacks a UV light window and is hence difficult to erase. OTP EPROMs can occasionally be completely deleted using X-rays in their starting point.

In 1967, Dawon Kahng and Simon Sze at Bell Labs proposed that the floating gate of a MOSFET(metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) could be used for the cell of a reprogrammable ROM (read-only memory). With this concept in mind, Dov Frohman of Intel invented EPROM in 1971. Frohman designed the Intel 1702, a 2048-bit EPROM, which was announced by Intel in 1971.

Characteristics

• Each and every EPROM is programmed by electronic devices.
• The data contained in EPROM is erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light.
• EPROM can store data minimum for 10-20 years.
• Erasing window is kept covered to avoid unwanted exposure to UV light to avoid accidental loss of data.

Advantages

• Easily erasable and programmable.
• Quite effective - As memory data can be erased again and again for use, therefore it eliminates the need of other external memory.

Disadvantages

• A particular selected data is not deleted instead whole data gets erased which is the cause of worry for the user.
• User needs to keep backup as whole data gets erased.
• It needs UV light to erase the data which is very rare.
• Process of erasing data is quite complex.

Conclusion

EPROM contributed significantly to the advancement of computer hardware by striking a balance between adaptability and durability. It has becoming a more popular option for firmware storage in a wider range of devices due to its long term data preservation and ability to be programmed again. EPROM is less used in modern applications because of the introduction of Flash memory and other technologies. Despite this its impact on the history of computers has been enormous.