Patent ID: 9336878
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: G11C

Claim Text:
1. A method of operating a first memory cell including a phase change material, the first memory cell programmable to store one data value of a plurality of data values, the plurality of data values represented by a plurality of non-overlapping ranges of resistance of the first memory cell, the method comprising: applying at least one testing pulse to the first memory cell, the testing pulse configured such that, after application of the testing pulse, the first memory cell has a cell resistance in an intermediate range of resistance, the intermediate range of resistance including resistance values in between first and second adjacent ranges in the plurality of non-overlapping ranges of resistance representing the plurality of data values; and after applying the at least one testing pulse to the first memory cell, determining whether to apply at least one healing pulse to the first memory cell, depending on relative values of (i) the cell resistance in the intermediate range of resistance and (ii) a reference resistance in the intermediate range of resistance.