Fault tolerant learning using Kullback-Leibler divergence

Abstract — In this paper, an objective function for training a fault tolerant neural network is derived based on the idea of Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence. The new objective function is then applied to a radial basis function (RBF) network that is with multiplicative weight noise. Simulation results have demonstrated that the RBF network trained in accordance with the new objective function is of better fault tolerance ability, in compared with the one trained by explicit regularization. As KL divergence has relation to Bayesian learning, a discussion on the proposed objective function and the other Bayesian type objective functions is discussed. I

Analogue neuromorphic systems.

This thesis addresses a new area of science and technology, that of neuromorphic systems, namely the problems and prospects of analogue neuromorphic systems. The subject is subdivided into three chapters. Chapter 1 is an introduction. It formulates the oncoming problem of the creation of highly computationally costly systems of nonlinear information processing (such as artificial neural networks and artificial intelligence systems). It shows that an analogue technology could make a vital contribution to the creation such systems. The basic principles of creation of analogue neuromorphic systems are formulated. The importance will be emphasised of the principle of orthogonality for future highly efficient complex information processing systems. Chapter 2 reviews the basics of neural and neuromorphic systems and informs on the present situation in this field of research, including both experimental and theoretical knowledge gained up-to-date. The chapter provides the necessary background for correct interpretation of the results reported in Chapter 3 and for a realistic decision on the direction for future work. Chapter 3 describes my own experimental and computational results within the framework of the subject, obtained at De Montfort University. These include: the building of (i) Analogue Polynomial Approximator/lnterpolatoriExtrapolator, (ii) Synthesiser of orthogonal functions, (iii) analogue real-time video filter (performing the homomorphic filtration), (iv) Adaptive polynomial compensator of geometrical distortions of CRT- monitors, (v) analogue parallel-learning neural network (backpropagation algorithm). Thus, this thesis makes a dual contribution to the chosen field: it summarises the present knowledge on the possibility of utilising analogue technology in up-to-date and future computational systems, and it reports new results within the framework of the subject. The main conclusion is that due to its promising power characteristics, small sizes and high tolerance to degradation, the analogue neuromorphic systems will playa more and more important role in future computational systems (in particular in systems of artificial intelligence)

Acceleration Strategies For The Backpropagation Neural Network Learning Algorithm

Algoritma perambatan balik telah terbukti sebagai salah satu algoritma rangkaian neural yang paling berjaya. Namun demikian, seperti kebanyakan kaedah pengoptimuman yang berasaskan kecerunan, ianya menumpu dengan lamb at dan keupayaannya berkurangan bagi tugas-tugas yang lebih besar dan kompleks. Dalam tesis ini, faktor-faktor yang menguasai kepantasan pembelajaran algoritma perambatan balik diselidik dan dianalisa secara matematik untuk membangunkan strategi-strategi bagi memperbaiki prestasi algoritma pembelajaran rangkaian neural ini. Faktor-faktor ini meliputi pilihan pemberat awal, pilihan fungsi pengaktifan dan nilai sasaran serta dua parameter perambatan, iaitu kadar pembelajaran dan faktor momentum. The backpropagation algorithm has proven to be one of the most successful neural network learning algorithms. However, as with many gradient based optimization methods, it converges slowly and it scales up poorly as tasks become larger and more complex. In this thesis, factors that govern the learning speed of the backpropagation algorithm are investigated and mathematically analyzed in order to develop strategies to improve the performance of this neural network learning algorithm. These factors include the choice of initial weights, the choice of activation function and target values, and the two backpropagation parameters, the learning rate and the momentum factor

Applications of artificial intelligence techniques to a spacecraft control problem

Artificial intelligence applied to spacecraft control proble

Quarterly research review no. 11, 1 october - 31 december 1964

Plasma, quantum electronics, system theory and electron tube studie

A Research Platform for Artificial Neural Networks with Applications in Pediatric Epilepsy

This dissertation established a state-of-the-art programming tool for designing and training artificial neural networks (ANNs) and showed its applicability to brain research. The developed tool, called NeuralStudio, allows users without programming skills to conduct studies based on ANNs in a powerful and very user friendly interface. A series of unique features has been implemented in NeuralStudio, such as ROC analysis, cross-validation, network averaging, topology optimization, and optimization of the activation function’s slopes. It also included a Support Vector Machines module for comparison purposes. Once the tool was fully developed, it was applied to two studies in brain research. In the first study, the goal was to create and train an ANN to detect epileptic seizures from subdural EEG. This analysis involved extracting features from the spectral power in the gamma frequencies. In the second application, a unique method was devised to link EEG recordings to epileptic and non-epileptic subjects. The contribution of this method consisted of developing a descriptor matrix that can be used to represent any EEG file regarding its duration and the number of electrodes. The first study showed that the inter-electrode mean of the spectral power in the gamma frequencies and its duration above a specific threshold performs better than the other frequencies in seizure detection, exhibiting an accuracy of 95.90%, a sensitivity of 92.59%, and a specificity of 96.84%. The second study yielded that Hjorth’s parameter activity is sufficient to accurately relate EEG to epileptic and non-epileptic subjects. After testing, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the classifier were all above 0.9667. Statistical tests measured the superiority of activity at over 99.99 % certainty. It was demonstrated that 1) the spectral power in the gamma frequencies is highly effective in locating seizures from EEG and 2) activity can be used to link EEG recordings to epileptic and non-epileptic subjects. These two studies required high computational load and could be addressed thanks to NeuralStudio. From a medical perspective, both methods proved the merits of NeuralStudio in brain research applications. For its outstanding features, NeuralStudio has been recently awarded a patent (US patent No. 7502763)