
IS41C16256
IS41LV16256
4
Integrated  Circuit  Solution Inc.
DR001-0E 01/25/2002
Functional Description
The IS41C16256 and IS41LV16256 is a CMOS DRAM
optimized for high-speed bandwidth, low power applica-
tions. During READ or WRITE cycles, each bit is uniquely
addressed through the 18 address bits. These are en-
tered 9 bits (A0-A8) at a time.  The row address is latched
by the Row Address Strobe (
RAS
). The column address
is latched by the Column Address Strobe (
CAS
).  
RAS
 is
used to latch the first nine bits and 
CAS
 is used the latter
nine bits.
The IS41C16256 and IS41LV16256 has two 
CAS
 controls,
LCAS
 and 
UCAS
. The 
LCAS
 and 
UCAS
 inputs internally
generates a 
CAS
 signal functioning in an identical man-
ner to the single 
CAS
 input on the other 256K x 16
DRAMs. The key difference is that each 
CAS
 controls its
corresponding I/O tristate logic (in conjunction with 
OE
and 
WE
 and 
RAS
). 
LCAS
 controls I/O0 through I/O7 and
UCAS
 controls I/O8 through  I/O15.
The IS41C16256 and IS41LV16256  
CAS
 function is
determined by the first 
CAS
 (
LCAS
 or 
UCAS
) transitioning
LOW and the last transitioning back HIGH. The two 
CAS
controls give the IS41C16256  both BYTE READ and
BYTE WRITE  cycle capabilities.
Memory Cycle
A memory cycle is initiated by bring 
RAS
 LOW and it is
terminated by returning both 
RAS
 and 
CAS
 HIGH. To
ensures proper device operation and data integrity any
memory cycle, once initiated, must not be ended or
aborted before the minimum t
RAS
 time has expired. A new
cycle must not be initiated until the minimum precharge
time t
RP
, t
CP
 has elapsed.
Read Cycle
A read cycle is initiated by the falling edge of 
CAS
 or 
OE
,
whichever occurs last, while holding 
WE
 HIGH. The
column address must be held for a minimum time specified
by t
AR
. Data Out becomes valid only when t
RAC
, t
AA
, t
CAC
and t
OEA
 are all satisfied. As a result, the access time is
dependent on the timing relationships between these
parameters.
Write Cycle
A write cycle is initiated by the falling edge of 
CAS
 and
WE
, whichever occurs last. The input data must be valid
at or before the falling edge of 
CAS
 or 
WE
, whichever
occurs first.
Refresh Cycle
To retain data, 512 refresh cycles are required in each
8 ms period. There are two ways to refresh the memory.
1. By clocking each of the 512 row addresses (A0 through
A8) with 
RAS
 at least once every 8 ms. Any read, write,
read-modify-write or 
RAS
-only cycle refreshes the
addressed row.
2. Using a 
CAS
-before-
RAS
 refresh cycle. 
CAS
-before-
RAS
 refresh is activated by the falling edge of 
RAS
,
while holding 
CAS
 LOW. In 
CAS
-before-
RAS
 refresh
cycle, an internal 9-bit counter provides the row     ad-
dresses and the external address inputs are ignored.
CAS
-before-
RAS
 is a refresh-only mode and no data
access or device selection is allowed. Thus, the output
remains in the High-Z state during the cycle.
Extended Data Out Page Mode
EDO page mode operation permits all 512 columns within
a selected row to be randomly accessed at a high data
rate.
In EDO page mode read cycle, the data-out is held to the
next 
CAS
 cycle’s falling edge, instead of the rising edge.
For this reason, the valid data output time in EDO page
mode is extended compared with the fast page mode. In
the fast page mode, the valid data output time becomes
shorter as the 
CAS
 cycle time becomes shorter. Therefore,
in EDO page mode, the timing margin in read cycle is
larger than that of the fast page mode even if the 
CAS
 cycle
time becomes shorter.
In EDO page mode, due to the extended data function, the
CAS
 cycle time can be shorter than in the fast page mode
if the timing margin is the same.
The EDO page mode allows both read and write opera-
tions during one 
RAS
 cycle, but the performance is
equivalent to that of the fast page mode in that case.
Power-On
After application of the V
CC
 supply, an initial pause of
200 μs is required followed by a minimum of eight initial-
ization cycles (any combination of cycles containing a
RAS
 signal).
During power-on, it is recommended that 
RAS
  track with
V
CC
 or be held at a valid V
IH
 to avoid current surges.