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The Memotech MTX Series      

Z80 DRAM Interface

Z80 Processor Architecture

 

Z80 Processor Memory Control

Architecture

The Z80 Processor Architecture diagram above, shows the internal structure of the Z80, including its connections to the external Address, Data and Control busses and its internal registers.

The pin-out of the Z80 is as shown, the most relevant signals for memory operations are :-

  • MREQ = Memory Request
  • RFSH  = Memory Refresh
  • RD       = Read Data
  • WR      = Write Data

Memory Access

The timing diagram from the Z80 Databook shows how these signals are sequenced during RAM read or write operations :-

Prior to a memory read or write operation, the Z80 processor sets bits A0 to A15 of the address bus to contain the target memory address. MREQ is the Memory Request signal from the Z80, this active low signal indicates that the address bus now holds a valid address for a memory read, write, or refresh operations (see below).

Read or write operations are controlled using the RD and WR signals; these active low signals set the direction of data transfer.

The Z80 does not need to know the physical structure of the RAM, it is the responsibility of the RAM and other support chips to decode the address and identify the target memory cell. The RAM in Z80 based computers, including the MTX 500/512/RS128 computers use RAS / CAS multiplexing, as described on the previous page, in order to identify the target memory cell for data transfer between the Z80 and RAM.

 

DRAM Refresh (RAS only Refresh)

The Z80 processor includes an "on-chip" memory controller which controls the Refresh register (R), the active low output, RFSH, and the address lines to provide functionality that can be used to control the refresh of connected DRAM. (When the Z80 was first released, this was a major advantage over other microprocessors of the time that required additional external circuitry to control DRAM refresh.)

The Z80 Databook describes how the refresh signal is sequenced during an M1 (opcode fetch) cycle. "Clock state T3 and T4 of a fetch cycle are used to refresh dynamic memories. The CPU uses this time to decode and execute the fetched instruction so that no other operation could be performed at this time. During T3 and T4, the lower seven bits of the address bus contain a memory refresh address and the RFSH signal becomes active indicating that a refresh read of all dynamic memories must be accomplished.  during an M1 (opcode fetch) cycle".

An internal counter increments the lower 7 bits of the R register that can be used to initiate the refresh up to 128 rows in the RAM chip, the register is incremented after each instruction fetch. In the MTX 500/512/RS128 computers, the RFSH control signal indicates that the lower 7 bits of the address bus contain a DRAM row refresh address and the current Memory Request signal, MREQ, should be used to do a memory refresh for all DRAMs without waiting for an associated CAS strobe to target a specific memory cell for Read or Write operations.

The timing diagram from the Z80 Databook shows how the RFSH signal is sequenced during an opcode fetch cycle:-

Z80 Refresh "Limitations"

As described above, only 7 bits (0 to 6) of this the R register are used - a throw back to when 16k RAM chips were the norm and were laid out in a square matrix of 128 x 128 cells, 7 bits were enough to access each address in a matrix of that size (27 = 128).

If a RAM chip only used the Z80 R register to refresh its memory cells, the maximum RAM size available to the Z80 would be 16kbytes, i.e., a matrix of 128 x 128 memory cells for each bit in an 8 byte data word. However, there are various methods for getting around this apparent limitation, as described previously, by laying out the memory cells in a rectangular, rather than square fashion, for example by arranging a 64k RAM as a 128 x 512 matrix, the Z80 would be capable of providing refresh control for 64k RAM as used in the MTX512 which would be refreshed at the same rate as a 16k, 128 x 128 matrix.

Other methods include adding additional hardware, for example, monitoring the A6 address line during refresh cycles and using its transitions to drive an external counter to drive the A7 line, or even ignoring the Z80 address lines altogether and building a complete external refresh circuit based on just using the RFSH signal.

However, as RAM capacity grew, the RAM manufacturers included additional functionality within the RAM itself such that 7 address lines could be used to generate refresh of larger size memories. For example, the OKI 3764, 64k x 1 RAMs used in the MTX512 are divided into two halves, each half having 128 rows x 256 columns and the refresh address is used to refresh both halves of the RAM simultaneously.

A key parameter from the OKI 3764 data sheet, is related to refresh, "128 refresh cycles / 2ms", this confirms that the RAM will operate correctly with the Z80's 7 bit counter. Other datasheets state the same values, often referring to them as "16k compatible" (e.g. Motorola) or "4116 compatible" (e.g. Mitsubishi).

The TI datasheet for the TMS4164 states that the RAM is pin-compatible with the 4116 but also advises that the refresh requirements are 256 rows in 4ms. I infer from this that a TMS4164 would not work in a Memotech computer as the higher rows would not be refreshed. This is interesting as both the OKI and TI datasheets site the other's RAM as compatible. I'd be happy to be corrected on this point though?

The specifics of DRAM access for Read, Write and Refresh in the Memotech MTX computer are briefly discussed on the Next Page. and the essential DRAM control signals generated by the MTX are described on Page 3.

 

 DRAM Overview  <  Previous Page   Goto   Next Page  >   MTX DRAM Operation

 

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