Memory programming operation comprising preprogramming memory cells

A memory device comprising:

• a memory storage array including at least a first memory block comprising one or more first memory units and a second memory block comprising one or more second memory units;
• and
• a memory controller to manage access to the memory storage array, wherein the memory controller executes instructions stored in computer memory to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a command to program information to the memory storage array;
• determining at least a first memory state and a second memory state to store the information;
• determining a combined program pulse for pre-programming the first memory state and the second memory state;
• computing a first voltage level for the combined program pulse;
• selecting a memory location in the memory storage array to program the information, wherein the selected memory location includes a first memory block associated with a first word line and a second memory block associated with a second word line;
• and
• pre-programming the selected memory location and programming the information to the selected memory location, comprising:
• pre-programming one or more first memory units in the first memory block by applying the combined program pulse at the first voltage level to pre-program the first memory block for the first memory state and the second memory state, the combined program pulse applied without program verify operations;
• following pre-programming the one or more first memory units in the first memory block, programming the information to the one or more first memory units in first memory block;
• pre-programming one or more second memory units in the second memory block by applying the combined program pulse at the first voltage level to pre-program the second memory block for the first memory state and the second memory state, the combined program pulse applied without program verify operations;
• and
• following pre-programming the one or more second memory units in the second memory block, programming the information to the one or more second memory units in the second memory block.