SRAM
/ˈɛsˌræm/
noun … “High-speed, volatile memory with no refresh needed.”
RAM
/ræm/
noun … “Fast, temporary memory for active data.”
Non-Volatile Memory
/nɒn ˈvɑːlətɪl ˈmɛməri/
noun … “Memory that retains data without power.”
Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) is a type of memory that preserves stored information even when the system loses power. Unlike volatile memory such as RAM, which requires constant power to maintain data, non-volatile memory maintains content permanently or until explicitly overwritten. This property makes NVM essential for storage devices, firmware, and persistent configuration in embedded systems.
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
/iˌiːˌpɹoʊˈm/
noun … “Electrically erasable programmable memory.”
Wear Leveling
/wɛər ˈlɛvəlɪŋ/
noun … “Evenly distribute writes to prolong memory lifespan.”
Wear Leveling is a technique used in non-volatile memory devices, such as Flash storage and SSDs, to prevent certain memory blocks from wearing out prematurely due to repeated program/erase cycles. Flash memory cells have a limited number of write cycles, and wear leveling distributes writes across the device to ensure all blocks age uniformly, extending the effective lifespan of the storage.
Flash
/flæʃ/
noun … “Non-volatile memory with electrical erase and write.”
Flash is a type of non-volatile memory that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. Unlike traditional ROM, Flash supports multiple write and erase cycles, making it suitable for storage devices like SSDs, USB drives, and embedded systems. It combines the speed of semiconductor memory with persistent data retention, bridging the gap between volatile RAM and slower mechanical storage.
Cache
/kæʃ/
noun … “Fast memory for frequently used data.”
Cache is a high-speed memory layer that stores copies of frequently accessed data to reduce access latency and improve overall system performance. It acts as an intermediary between slower main memory (e.g., RAM) or storage and the CPU, allowing repeated reads and writes to be served quickly. Caches are used in hardware (CPU caches, GPU caches), software (database query caching), and networking (CDN caches).
ROM
/roʊm/
noun … “Non-volatile storage for permanent instructions.”
ROM (Read-Only Memory) is a type of non-volatile memory used to store data or program instructions that must persist even when the system is powered off. Unlike volatile memory such as RAM, contents of ROM are typically fixed at manufacturing or written once and rarely modified. ROM is commonly used to hold firmware, bootloaders, and essential system-level instructions required to start and initialize hardware.
Memory
/ˈmɛməri/
noun … “Storage for data and instructions.”
Memory is the component or subsystem in a computing environment responsible for storing and retrieving data and program instructions. It encompasses volatile storage such as RAM, non-volatile storage like ROM, and other forms including cache, registers, and persistent memory. Effective memory management is critical for performance, multitasking, and ensuring data integrity across CPU operations.
Antenna
/ænˈtɛnə/
noun … “Device that converts electrical signals to radio waves and back.”
Antenna is a transducer used in radio and wireless communication systems to convert electrical signals into electromagnetic waves for transmission, or to receive electromagnetic waves and convert them back into electrical signals. It serves as the critical interface between a Radio transmitter or receiver and free space, enabling communication without physical conductors.
Key characteristics of Antenna include: