EPROM vs. EEPROM: Main differences between them

In comparison to using the restricted advantages of ROM and PROM, employing EPROM and EEPROM to delete and reprogram data gives chip reusability at a substantially faster and lower cost.

What is the EPROM?

An electronic device that generates a greater voltage than what is typically used in electronic circuits can individually program a group of floating-gate transistors to form an EPROM. EPROMs can only be erased using powerful UV light once they have been programmed. The clear window where the silicon can be seen on top of the package, which also serves as a UV-erasing window, makes it simple to identify EPROMs. The EPROM can be wiped by aiming the glass pane at the sun for a while.

Because EPROMs are sensitive to radiation and electrical noise, they offer less storage permanence than PROMs. MOS transistors are utilized during the manufacture of EPROMs.

Figure 1: EPROM

What is the EEPROM?

Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory is referred to as EEPROM. It is a type of memory chip that retains data even after being turned off. EEPROM can be reprogrammed by wiping off the data on a computer or specialized device. Typically, plug-and-play uses it.

The contents of EEPROM (electrically erasable programmed read-only memory), which can be a non-volatile memory that preserves its contents despite changes in capacity, are erased using an electrical signal. It keeps a little quantity of data for the BIOS of laptops and computers. Definitely a replacement for PROM and EPROM.

Figure 2: EEPROM

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EPROM vs. EEPROM Characteristics

Pros and cons of EEPROM and EPROM

The structure of EPROM and EEPROM

A programmable device is a PROM. The two-layer poly structure is used in common goods like EPROM and EEPROM. A programmable device, an EPROM uses a double-layer gate (two poly) structure, the main one of which is seen in Figure 1. When the voltage is provided to the control gate but there is no electron injection in the floating gate, the floating gate's electrons go to the upper layer and holes develop in the bottom layer. Electrons are subsequently drawn to the induction, which opens the channel. The trench closes if electrons are injected into the floating gate, increasing the threshold voltage of the tube. The trench is sealed off. The switching function is thus accomplished.

Figure 3: Double-layer grid structure of EEPROM and EPROM

How does EPROM work?

Figure 4 illustrates the EPROM writing procedure, which involves applying a high voltage to the drain while completely opening the channel for electron passage from the source to the drain. Due to the high voltage's effects on electrons, their tension is heightened and their temperature rises dramatically, turning them into hot electrons. When a high voltage is supplied to the control grid, the hot electrons are able to cross the SiO2 barrier and are injected into the floating grid because they are rarely impacted by the scattering brought on by the atoms' vibration.

The electrons are firmly held when no other outside pressures are present. The electrons are exposed to ultraviolet light when they need to be removed, giving them the energy they need to break free from the floating gate. The tunneling phenomenon, wherein electrons with less energy than the energy barrier can pass the barrier to the other side, is used in the EEPROM writing process.

Figure 4: Writing process of EPROM

How does EEPROM work?

Operating with an EPROM is a pain. The majority of the motherboard's BIOS ROM chips now employ EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). There is no need for additional hardware to erase EEPROM. It modifies its content via electronic impulses, using bytes as the smallest unit of modification. The EPROM Eraser and programmer can be totally removed without the need to wash all the data before writing. When writing data to EEPROM, a specific programming voltage is still required. Currently, the manufacturer's unique refresh program makes it simple to rewrite the information.

Figure 5: EEPROM writing process

Figure 6: Eliminate the electron

It is a dual-voltage chip as a result. The EEPROM chip's dual voltage properties enable the BIOS to have a strong anti-virus capability. Simply apply the necessary programming voltage to the chip and turn the jumper switch to the "ON" position to update quickly. The jumper switch should normally be in the "OFF" state to stop CIH viruses from improperly altering the BIOS chip. As a result, the BIOS chip on many motherboards is still an EPROM, which is also a key component of the motherboard itself.

EPROM vs. EEPROM

Conclusion of EPROM vs. EEPROM

An EPROM is a modernized version of a PROM, while an EEPROM is an EPROM's contemporaneous equivalent. An EEPROM cell's relative size is 3, compared to an EPROM cell's relative size of 1. To wipe and reprogramme the computer's BIOS, the EPROM chip must be disconnected from the computer circuit, whereas the EEPROM chip will be erased and reprogrammed inside the electrical circuit.

EPROM and EEPROM were developed to overcome the problems with ROM and PROM. Using EPROM and EEPROM to remove and reprogram data offers chip reusability at a significantly faster and lower cost than using the limited advantages of ROM and PROM. A modified variant of PROM and ROM is EPROM. EEPROM, on the other hand, is an improved version of EPROM.

EPROM vs. EEPROM FAQ

EPROM vs. EEPROM

An EEPROM is the current equivalent of an EPROM, which is a more advanced form of PROM. The relative size of an EEPROM cell is 3, while that of an EPROM cell is 1. While the EEPROM chip will be deleted and reprogrammed inside the electrical circuit, the EPROM chip needs to be detached from the computer circuit in order to wipe and reprogram the BIOS.

What are the advantages of EPROM over EEPROM?

While EEPROM memory can be reprogrammed after being erased (like EPROM), EPROM memory cannot be once it has been erased.

What is EEPROM vs EPROM vs PROM?

While EPROM is a programmable ROM that may be wiped and reused, PROM is a Read-Only Memory (ROM) that can only be updated once by a user. On the other hand, EEPROM is a user-modifiable ROM that can be repeatedly wiped and reprogrammed using a regular electrical voltage.

What are the disadvantages of EPROM?

UV-based EPROM requires some time to erase, in contrast to EEPROM, which may be done quickly. Similar to an EEPROM, the entire contents must be erased in order to delete a single byte.

Why use EEPROM over Flash?

EEPROMs have a lifetime capacity of 1,000,000 erase/rewrite cycles. Depending on the type of Flash memory, Flash devices have a short lifespan; the majority of Flash products can endure 10,000–1,000,000 erase/write cycles before wear starts to compromise the storage's integrity.