EPROM

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An EPROM. The small quartz window admits UV light for erasure.
An EPROM. The small quartz window admits UV light for erasure.
Computer memory types
Volatile
Non-volatile

An EPROM, or Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, is a type of computer memory chip that retains its data when its power supply is switched off. In other words, it is non-volatile. It is an array of floating-gate transistors individually programmed by an electronic device that supplies higher voltages than those normally used in electronic circuits. Once programmed, an EPROM can be erased only by exposing it to strong ultraviolet light. That UV light usually has a wavelength of 235nm (for optimum erasure time) and belongs to the UVC range of UV light. EPROMs are easily recognizable by the transparent fused quartz window in the top of the package, through which the silicon chip can be seen, and which permits UV light during erasing.

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As the quartz window is expensive to make, OTP (one-time programmable) chips were introduced; the only difference is that the EPROM chip is packed in an opaque package, so it can not be erased after programming. OTP versions are manufactured for both EPROMs themselves and EPROM-based microcontrollers. However, OTP EPROM (whether separate or part of a larger chip) is being increasingly replaced by EEPROM for small amounts where the cell cost isn't too important and flash for larger amounts.

A programmed EPROM retains its data for about ten to twenty years[citation needed] and can be read an unlimited number of times. The erasing window must be kept covered with a foil label to prevent accidental erasure by sunlight. Old PC BIOS chips were often EPROMs, and the erasing window was often covered with a label containing the BIOS publisher's name, the BIOS revision, and a copyright notice.

Some microcontrollers, often those from before the era of EEPROMs and flash memory, use EPROM to store their program. Such microcontrollers include some versions of the Intel 8048, the Freescale 68HC11, and the "C" versions of the PIC microcontroller. Like EPROM chips, such microcontrollers came in windowed (expensive) versions that were useful for debugging and program development, and also the same chip came in (somewhat cheaper) opaque OTP packages for production. Leaving the die of such a chip exposed to light can also change behavior in unexpected ways when moving from a windowed part used for development to a non-windowed part for production.

The EPROM was invented by Israeli engineer Dov Frohman in 1971.

EPROMs come in several sizes both in physical packaging as well and storage capacity. While parts of the same type number from different manufacturers are compatible as long as they're only being read, there are subtle differences in the programming process.

Most EPROMS could be identified by the programmer through "signature mode" by forcing 12V on pin A9 and reading out two bytes of data. However, as this was not universal, programmer software also would allow manual setting of the manufacturer and device type of the chip to ensure proper programming.

EPROM Type Size — bits Size — bytes Length (hex) Last address (hex)
1702, 1702A 2 Kbit 256 100 000FF
2704 4 Kbit 512 200 001FF
2708 8 Kbit 1 KB 400 003FF
2716, 27C16 16 Kbit 2 KB 800 007FF
2732, 27C32 32 Kbit 4 KB 1000 00FFF
2764, 27C64 64 Kbit 8 KB 2000 01FFF
27128, 27C128 128 Kbit 16 KB 4000 03FFF
27256, 27C256 256 Kbit 32 KB 8000 07FFF
27512, 27C512 512 Kbit 64 KB 10000 0FFFF
27C010, 27C100 1 Mbit 128 KB 20000 1FFFF
27C020 2 Mbit 256 KB 40000 3FFFF
27C040 4 Mbit 512 KB 80000 7FFFF
27C080 8 Mbit 1 MB 100000 FFFFF

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  1. ^ NOTE: 1702 EPROMs were PMOS, 27x series EPROMs containing a C in the name are CMOS based, without the C are NMOS

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