EPROM
in full
erasable programmable read-only memoryForm of computer memory that does not lose its content when the power supply is cut off and that can be erased and reused. EPROMs are generally employed for programs designed for repeated use (such as the BIOS) but that can be upgraded with a later version of the program.
EPROM
(Erasable Programmable ROM) A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power. EPROM chips are written on an external programming device before being placed on the circuit board. The chip requires an expensive ceramic chip package with a small quartz window that is covered with opaque, sticky tape. For reprogramming, the chip is extracted from the circuit board, the tape is removed, and it is placed under an intense ultraviolet (UV) light for approximately 20 minutes.
Although still used, EPROMS evolved into EEPROMs and flash memory, both of which can be erased in place on the circuit board. See EPROM programmer, EEPROM and memory types.
A Floating Gate Holds the Charge
EPROMs use a transistor with a floating gate underneath a control gate. To program the bit, a high voltage is applied to the control gate. This causes electrons to tunnel through the insulating oxide layer into the floating gate, which impedes the subsequent operation of the control gate. The 0 or 1 is determined by whether the voltage on the control gate is blocked or not.
The floating gate can hold the charge for more than a decade or until the device is erased; however, EPROMs only support a few hundred erase-write cycles.
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| An EPROM Cell |
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| An EPROM cell acts like a permanently open or closed transistor. Charging is accomplished by applying voltage to the control gate. When the "floating gate" is charged, it impedes the flow of electrons from the control gate to the silicon, and the 0 or 1 is determined by whether the voltage on the control gate is blocked or not. |
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| The Glass Window |
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| EPROM packages have a glass cover so that the chip can be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light for erasure. |
EPROM Computing erasable programmable read-only memory