Patent ID: 8520448
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for programming a plurality of non-volatile storage elements on a word line, comprising: performing each program-verify operation of a first plurality of program-verify operations of a programming sequence by: applying a programming pulse to the word line while selecting a first set of non-volatile storage elements of the plurality of non-volatile storage elements for programming and not selecting second and third sets of non-volatile storage elements of the plurality of non-volatile storage elements for programming, and subsequently performing a verify operation for the first set without performing a verify operation for the second and third sets, each non-volatile storage element in the first set is separated from a next closest non-volatile storage element in the first set by at least two other non-volatile storage elements of the plurality of non-volatile storage elements not in the first set, each non-volatile storage element in the second set is separated from a next closest non-volatile storage element in the second set by at least two other non-volatile storage elements of the plurality of non-volatile storage elements not in the second set, and each non-volatile storage element in the third set is separated from a next closest non-volatile storage element in the third set by at least two other non-volatile storage elements of the plurality of non-volatile storage elements not in the third set, wherein the first, second and third sets of non-volatile storage elements are coupled to the word line; performing each program-verify operation of a second plurality of program-verify operations of the programming sequence by: applying a programming pulse to the word line while selecting the second set for programming and not selecting the first and third sets for programming, and subsequently performing a verify operation for the second set without performing a verify operation for the first and third; and performing each program-verify operation of a third plurality of program-verify operations of the programming sequence by: applying a programming pulse to the word line while selecting the third set for programming and not selecting the first and second sets for programming, and subsequently performing a verify operation for the third set without performing a verify operation for the first and second.