Patent US 11,699,224

A device includes image generation circuitry and convolutional-neural-network circuitry. The image generation circuitry, in operation, generates a digital image representation of a wafer defect map (WDM). The convolutional-neural-network circuitry, in operation, generates a defect classification associated with the WDM based on: the digital image representation of the WDM and a data-driven model associating WDM images with classes of a defined set of classes of wafer defects and generated using a training data set augmented based on defect pattern orientation types associated with training images.