Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory

(ee-prom)

A form of read-only memory than can be erased by ultraviolet light (as opposed to electrically - see EEPROM) and then reprogrammed in place. An EPROM can hold data for over ten years without any external power applied. The chip is "erased" by discharging all stored charges using ultraviolet light shining onto the chip surface through a quartz window.

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