Method of driving plasma display panel having improved operational margin

A PDP driving method for use with a PDP of an ac discharge memory type, comprising:

• M scanning electrodes (M being an integer) corresponding to scanning lines of display cells formed on an identical plane;
• M sustaining electrodes sustaining discharge of the display cells;
• and
• a plurality of data electrodes disposed to be orthogonal to the scanning electrodes and the sustaining electrodes for receiving predetermined display data and being driven in response thereto, wherein:
• the M scanning electrodes, the M sustaining electrodes, and the plurality of data electrodes are divided into blocks, including at least a first block of electrodes and a second block of electrodes,
• the method comprising:
• providing, during a first pre-discharge period, a first pre-discharge pulse to only the first block of electrodes;
• providing, during a first erase period, a first erase pulse to only the first block of electrodes;
• providing, during a first write discharge period, a first write discharge pulse to only the first block of electrodes;
• thereafter, providing, during a second pre-discharge period, a second pre-discharge pulse to only the second block of electrodes;
• providing, during a second erase period, a second erase pulse to only the second block of electrodes;
• providing, during a second write discharge period, a second write discharge pulse to only the second block of electrodes,
• wherein a sequential scanning operation is performed for each of the blocks of electrodes as a result.