3. Memory Blocks in the Cyclone III
Device Family
December 2011
CIII51004-2.3
CIII51004-2.3
The Cyclone® III device family (Cyclone III and Cyclone III LS devices) features
embedded memory structures to address the on-chip memory needs of Altera®
Cyclone III device family designs. The embedded memory structure consists of
columns of M9K memory blocks that you can configure to provide various memory
functions, such as RAM, shift registers, ROM, and FIFO buffers.
This chapter contains the following sections:
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“Memory Modes” on page 3–7
“Clocking Modes” on page 3–14
“Design Considerations” on page 3–15
Overview
M9K blocks support the following features:
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8,192 memory bits per block (9,216 bits per block including parity)
Independent read-enable (rden) and write-enable (wren) signals for each port
Packed mode in which the M9K memory block is split into two 4.5 K single-port
RAMs
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Variable port configurations
Single-port and simple dual-port modes support for all port widths
True dual-port (one read and one write, two reads, or two writes) operation
Byte enables for data input masking during writes
Two clock-enable control signals for each port (port A and port B)
Initialization file to pre-load memory content in RAM and ROM modes
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Cyclone III Device Handbook
Volume 1
December 2011
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