Method for compressing pattern data and data compression processing circuit for radiant beam exposure apparatuses

TLDR: In this paper, the data corresponding to an IC pattern to be depicted on a semiconductor pellet are compressed and stored in a memory, and a plurality of pattern data trains with the same content are compressed into a single pattern data train.

Abstract: The data corresponding to an IC pattern to be depicted on a semiconductor pellet are compressed and stored in a memory. A plurality of pattern data trains with the same content are compressed into a single pattern data train. A code representing the number of the same patterns is added to the head of the single pattern data train. The data element continuously included in the single pattern data train are encoded into another code for data compression. In this coding, the binary "0" is disposed with the same number as the result of subtraction of 2 from the quotient of n (number of the continuous data elements having the same binary value)/2. Following a series of binary "0"s, the binary "1" is disposed for partition. After the partitive binary "1", the binary "0" or "1" is disposed for indicating odd or even number of the data elements. The binary "1" or "0" is inserted between the code for representing the number of the same line patterns and the compressed single pattern data train. The binary inserted is used for correctly coupling adjacent divided patterns together.