US Patent 7577024 Streaming mode programming in phase change memories

A streaming programming mode may be implemented on user command in a phase change memory. In the streaming programming mode, accelerated programming may be achieved by ramping up to a voltage that it used for both reading and programming. Repeated programming operations may be streamed after one ramp up without ramping down the voltage on the memory cells between programming operations. This may save time. In addition, the memory may be read in between programming operations, again, without necessarily ramping down.