Patent ID: 7307268

Claim:
In an integrated circuit comprising an array of memory cells each comprising a diode and a memory material that is reversibly switchable from one state to another by thermal activation, and each connected in series between a word line and a bit line, a method of writing at least one selected memory cell while not disturbing unselected memory cells comprising: controlling voltages on word lines and bit lines not connected to the at least one selected memory cell; controlling voltage on one of a word line and a bit line connected to the at least one selected memory cell; controlling current on another of the word line and bit line connected to the at least one selected memory cell such that the current produces the thermal activation; controlling voltage on one of the word line and bit line connected to the at least one selected memory cell comprises controlling voltage on the word line connected to the selected memory cell; and controlling current on another of the word line and bit line connected to the at least one selected memory cell comprises controlling current on the bit line connected to the at least one selected memory cell, wherein the voltage on the word line connected to the at least one selected memory cell is brought to a lowest voltage applied to the array of memory cells and the current on the bit line connected to the at least one selected memory cell is pulled to a value selected by a current mirror.