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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: h3ro on June 02, 2011, 05:07:17 PM

Title: Storing data?
Post by: h3ro on June 02, 2011, 05:07:17 PM
Hey,

I was wondering how extra data can be stored when dealing with micro processors. If I want to store say 1mb of data what kind of electronics would I need?

Regards
Title: Re: Storing data?
Post by: Soeren on June 02, 2011, 05:27:27 PM
Hi,

I was wondering how extra data can be stored when dealing with micro processors. If I want to store say 1mb of data what kind of electronics would I need?
Since you obviously dont mean 1mb (milli-bit, i.e. 1 bit/1000), you have to clarify whether you mean 1Mb (1 mega-bit = 128kB) or 1MB (mega-byte).

The former can be stored in a serial EEPROM, which is non-removable memory.
The latter will probably need flash memory, or a flash memory card, if it has to be removable.
Title: Re: Storing data?
Post by: lengchai on June 02, 2011, 05:33:26 PM
speed is also of a consideration ... EEPROM is slow ... SRAM and FLASH are fast

However, EEPROM is easy to use, while more care is needed for SRAM/FLASH/memory cards.

Cost wise, EEPROM is cheap and the others are expensive.

Title: Re: Storing data?
Post by: h3ro on June 02, 2011, 06:46:18 PM
I was thinking about 1MB. Ideally i would like to store 1MB-10MB (somewhere in that range). The faster the memory is the better, although ease of use is important as well.
Title: Re: Storing data?
Post by: waltr on June 02, 2011, 06:58:28 PM
Look at SPI FLASH memory chips.
Title: Re: Storing data?
Post by: Webbot on June 02, 2011, 07:30:10 PM
WebbotLib lets you easily add external EEPROM chips via both SPI and I2C - as well as the 'bigger but slower' micro SD cards.
Title: Re: Storing data?
Post by: Soeren on June 03, 2011, 05:07:04 PM
Hi,

I was thinking about 1MB. Ideally i would like to store 1MB-10MB (somewhere in that range). The faster the memory is the better, although ease of use is important as well.
If you have a small size USB thumb drive that could be sacrificed, open it carefully and read the type number on the chips(s), then see if you can locate a data sheet for that part(s) - if not, put it back together and search elsewhere.

I've found datasheets for flash chips weighing in at 32MB, 64MB and 128MB - ridiculously small used in  thumb drives, but huge in a controller app.