The modern Tony Stark producing RAM in his shed!

Summary in 10 Seconds: In a small shed in his backyard, engineer Robert Baruch rebuilt the foundations of modern RAM technology with discrete components. Within the scope of the project, 1-bit static memory cells were created using single transistors and diodes instead of integrated circuits. This work is considered as the first and most critical step of a huge computer project that will consist entirely of discrete components in the future.

In the technology world, we usually talk about nanometer-level manufacturing processes, processors with billions of transistors, and high-speed memory standards such as DDR5. But sometimes an engineer’s curiosity can take us back to the purest and simplest form of modern computing. A hardware enthusiast named Robert Baruch retreated to his own cabin like a Tony Stark and managed to manufacture the RAM unit, one of the most basic components of modern computers, from scratch.

This project emerged by bringing together basic electronic parts such as transistors, resistors and diodes that are easily available in the market. Baruch’s work is not only a technical achievement, but also a tremendous educational material that shows how complex microchip architectures are actually based on simple logical foundations. This system, which he built with his own hands, reveals the SRAM structure, which is considered the ancestor of today’s complex memory technologies.

Journey to the foundations of modern technology at the transistor level. The 8 GB or 16 GB capacity memory modules we use today consist of billions of cells too small to be seen with the eye. Robert Baruch carried this structure to a macro dimension that everyone can understand. The engineer, who built flip-flop circuits that can store each bit of data with the discrete components he used, proved how data is written and protected with the help of an oscilloscope.

In this process, he simulated step by step the process of transforming electrical signals into logical information, using standard transistors such as 2N3904. The most impressive aspect of the project is that no off-the-shelf integrated circuits (ICs) were used. Baruch even created logic gates (AND, OR, NOT) by connecting transistors together with his own hands. This approach enables the theoretical topics taught in computer architecture courses to become a physical reality.

The engineer, who weaves this complex network with the limited resources in his hut, is actually rewriting the genetic codes of the digital world by doing a kind of hardware archeology. Rebirth of SRAM architecture with discrete componentsStatic RAM, that is, SRAM, is the fastest type of memory used in the caches (L1, L2, L3) in modern processors. The reason why Robert Baruch chose this architecture in his project is that, unlike dynamic memories (DRAM), it does not need a constant refresh signal.

By managing to keep the state of each cell on the circuit board constant, the engineer produced a real piece of hardware that can store data until its power is cut off. When these cells come together, they form a functional memory bank, albeit with a very low capacity. Future plans and the dream of a huge computer. These 1-bit or a few byte experiments are just a starting point for Robert Baruch. The engineer’s main goal is to build a central processing unit (CPU) and a computer running on it, entirely of his own production, using thousands of discrete transistors.

Stating how much patience this process requires in the videos he shared on his YouTube channel, Baruch emphasizes that each connection and each solder point is critical for the stability of the system. If he can complete his project, he will be able to build a modern version of old room-sized computers in his own garden. Editor’s note This project of Robert Baruch reminds us that at the level of complexity reached by modern technology, we sometimes forget the most basic principles.

As the layers of ‘abstraction’ increase in the hardware world, it becomes more difficult to understand the miracle in the physical layer. Such DIY projects both inspire the new generation of engineers and nourish the open source spirit in the technology world. I predict that such ‘pure hardware’ projects will find more space in educational curricula in the future.