Patent ID: 9305747
Filing Date: 2016-04-05
CPC Classification: B82Y,H01J

Claim Text:
1. A data path for transmitting pattern data to a maskless lithography system, for modulating a plurality of charged particle beamlets generated by the lithography system for exposing a field of a target, the data path comprising: a plurality of transmission channels, for transmitting the pattern data to the lithography system; first and second channel selectors connecting a subset of selected, transmission channels among the transmission channels for transmitting pattern data; wherein the first channel selector is connected between a processing system and the transmission channels, and the second channel selector is connected between the transmission channels and the lithography system; wherein the transmission channels include enough channels to transmit the pattern data for exposing the field of the target, plus an additional number of channels available as spare channels, and wherein the first and second channel selectors are adapted to operate in conjunction with each other to connect a subset of selected transmission channels from among the transmission channels including the spare channels, the subset of selected transmission channels excluding failed transmission channels, for transmitting the pattern data.