Gaussian kernel approximation algorithm for feedforward neural network design

Abstract

A Gaussian kernel approximation algorithm for a feedforward neural network is presented. The approach used by the algorithm, which is based on a constructive learning algorithm, is to create the hidden units directly so that automatic design of the architecture of neural networks can be carried out. The algorithm is defined using the linear summation of input patterns and their randomized input weights. Hidden-layer nodes are defined so as to partition the input space into homogeneous regions, where each region contains patterns belonging to the same class. The largest region is used to define the center of the corresponding Gaussian hidden nodes. The algorithm is tested on three benchmark data sets of different dimensionality and sample sizes to compare the approach presented here with other algorithms. Real medical diagnoses and a biological classification of mushrooms are used to illustrate the performance of the algorithm. These results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.