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Air Force Institute of Technology

Theses/Dissertations

Neural networks (Computer science)

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Evolutionary Artificial Neural Network Weight Tuning To Optimize Decision Making For An Abstract Game, Corey M. Miller Mar 2010

Evolutionary Artificial Neural Network Weight Tuning To Optimize Decision Making For An Abstract Game, Corey M. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract strategy games present a deterministic perfect information environment with which to test the strategic capabilities of artificial intelligence systems. With no unknowns or random elements, only the competitors’ performances impact the results. This thesis takes one such game, Lines of Action, and attempts to develop a competitive heuristic. Due to the complexity of Lines of Action, artificial neural networks are utilized to model the relative values of board states. An application, pLoGANN (Parallel Lines of Action with Genetic Algorithm and Neural Networks), is developed to train the weights of this neural network by implementing a genetic algorithm over a …


A Comparison Of Main Rotor Smoothing Adjustments Using Linear And Neural Network Algorithms, Nathan A. Miller Mar 2006

A Comparison Of Main Rotor Smoothing Adjustments Using Linear And Neural Network Algorithms, Nathan A. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Helicopter main rotor smoothing is a maintenance procedure that is routinely performed to minimize airframe vibrations induced by non-uniform mass and/or aerodynamic distributions in the main rotor system. This important task is both time consuming and expensive, so improvements to the process have long been sought. Traditionally, vibrations have been minimized by calculating adjustments based on an assumed linear relationship between adjustments and vibration response. In recent years, artificial neural networks have been trained to recognize non-linear mappings between adjustments and vibration response. This research was conducted in order observe the character of the adjustment mapping of the Vibration Management …


Software Development Outsourcing Decision Support Tool With Neural Network Learning, James D. Newberry Mar 2004

Software Development Outsourcing Decision Support Tool With Neural Network Learning, James D. Newberry

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force (AF) needs an evolving software tool for guiding decision makers through the complexities of software outsourcing. Previous research identified specific outsourcing strategies and linked them to goals and consequences through a variety of relationship rules. These strategies and relationship rules were inserted into a decision support tool. Since that time, more historical data and outsourcing literature has been collected thus necessitating an update to such a tool. As the number of software outsourcing projects are completed, the AF must capture the outsourcing decision experiences which guided the projects and their outcomes. In order to efficiently incorporate this …


An Integrated Architecture And Feature Selection Algorithm For Radial Basis Neural Networks, Timothy D. Flietstra Mar 2002

An Integrated Architecture And Feature Selection Algorithm For Radial Basis Neural Networks, Timothy D. Flietstra

Theses and Dissertations

There are two basic ways to control an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) as it searches for targets: allow the UCAV to act autonomously or employ man-in-the-loop control. There are also two target sets of interest: fixed or mobile targets. This research focuses on UCAV-based targeting of mobile targets using man-in-the-loop control. In particular, the interest is in how levels of satellite signal latency or signal degradation affect the ability to accurately track, target, and attack mobile targets. This research establishes a weapon effectiveness model assessing targeting inaccuracies as a function of signal latency and/or signal degradation. The research involved …


Autonomous Construction Of Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Networks, Thomas F. Rathbun Jun 1997

Autonomous Construction Of Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Networks, Thomas F. Rathbun

Theses and Dissertations

The construction of Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural networks for classification is explored. A novel algorithm is developed, the MLP Iterative Construction Algorithm (MICA), that designs the network architecture as it trains the weights of the hidden layer nodes. The architecture can be optimized on training set classification accuracy, whereby it always achieves 100% classification accuracies, or it can be optimized for generalization. The test results for MICA compare favorably with those of backpropagation on some data sets and far surpasses backpropagation on others while requiring less FLOPS to train. Feature selection is enhanced by MICA because it affords the …


Physiologically-Based Vision Modeling Applications And Gradient Descent-Based Parameter Adaptation Of Pulse Coupled Neural Networks, Randy P. Broussard Jun 1997

Physiologically-Based Vision Modeling Applications And Gradient Descent-Based Parameter Adaptation Of Pulse Coupled Neural Networks, Randy P. Broussard

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, pulse coupled neural networks (PCNNs) are analyzed and evaluated for use in primate vision modeling. An adaptive PCNN is developed that automatically sets near-optimal parameter values to achieve a desired output. For vision modeling, a physiologically motivated vision model is developed from current theoretical and experimental biological data. The biological vision processing principles used in this model, such as spatial frequency filtering, competitive feature selection, multiple processing paths, and state dependent modulation are analyzed and implemented to create a PCNN based feature extraction network. This network extracts luminance, orientation, pitch, wavelength, and motion, and can be cascaded …


Pulse Coupled Neural Networks For The Segmentation Of Magnetic Resonance Brain Images, Shane L. Abrahamson Dec 1996

Pulse Coupled Neural Networks For The Segmentation Of Magnetic Resonance Brain Images, Shane L. Abrahamson

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops an automated method for segmenting Magnetic Resonance (MR) brain images based on Pulse Coupled Neural Networks (PCNN). MR brain image segmentation has proven difficult, primarily due to scanning artifacts such as interscan and intrascan intensity inhomogeneities. The method developed and presented here uses a PCNN to both filter and segment MR brain images. The technique begins by preprocessing images with a PCNN filter to reduce scanning artifacts. Images are then contrast enhanced via histogram equalization. Finally, a PCNN is used to segment the images to arrive at the final result. Modifications to the original PCNN model are …


Temporal Influence On Awareness, Don E. Hill Dec 1995

Temporal Influence On Awareness, Don E. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Grossberg's Motion Oriented Contrast Filter (MOC) was extensively analyzed (7). The output from the filter's "global motion" neuronal layer was compared to a noncausal post-processing filter developed by AFIT. Both filters were shown to incorporate a weighted, noncausal temporal range of input data in processed output. The global motion framework was then implemented using a physiologically motivated pulsed neural model - the Pulse Coupled Neural Network (PCNN). By incorporating both spatial and temporal data, the PCNN was shown to exhibit a common visual illusion, apparent motion. The existence of a physiological temporal processing range was further investigated through implementation of …


Semantic Interpretation Of An Artificial Neural Network, Stanley D. Kinderknecht Dec 1995

Semantic Interpretation Of An Artificial Neural Network, Stanley D. Kinderknecht

Theses and Dissertations

Recent advances in machine learning theory have opened the door for applications to many difficult problem domains. One area that has achieved great success for stock market analysis/prediction is artificial neural networks. However, knowledge embedded in the neural network is not easily translated into symbolic form. Recent research, exploring the viability of merging artificial neural networks with traditional rule-based expert systems, has achieved limited success. In particular, extracting production (IF.. THEN) rules from a trained neural net based on connection weights provides a valid set of rules only when neuron outputs are close to 0 or 1 (e.g. the output …


The Mathematics Of Measuring Capabilities Of Artificial Neural Networks, Martha A. Carter Jun 1995

The Mathematics Of Measuring Capabilities Of Artificial Neural Networks, Martha A. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers rely on the mathematics of Vapnik and Chervonenkis to capture quantitatively the capabilities of specific artificial neural network (ANN) architectures. The quantifier is known as the V-C dimension, and is defined on functions or sets. Its value is the largest cardinality 1 of a set of vectors in Rd such that there is at least one set of vectors of cardinality 1 such that all dichotomies of that set into two sets can be implemented by the function or set. Stated another way, the V-C dimension of a set of functions is the largest cardinality of a set, such …


Nonlinear Time Series Analysis, James A. Stewart Mar 1995

Nonlinear Time Series Analysis, James A. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis applies neural network feature selection techniques to multivariate time series data to improve prediction of a target time series. Two approaches to feature selection are used. First, a subset enumeration method is used to determine which financial indicators are most useful for aiding in prediction of the S&P 500 futures daily price. The candidate indicators evaluated include RSI, Stochastics and several moving averages. Results indicate that the Stochastics and RSI indicators result in better prediction results than the moving averages. The second approach to feature selection is calculation of individual saliency metrics. A new decision boundary-based individual saliency …


Embedology And Neural Estimation For Time Series Prediction, Robert E. Garza Dec 1994

Embedology And Neural Estimation For Time Series Prediction, Robert E. Garza

Theses and Dissertations

Time series prediction has widespread application, ranging from predicting the stock market to trying to predict future locations of scud missiles. Recent work by Sauer and Casdagli has developed into the embedology theorem, which sets forth the procedures for state space manipulation and reconstruction for time series prediction. This includes embedding the time series into a higher dimensional space in order to form an attractor, a structure defined by the embedded vectors. Embedology is combined with neural technologies in an effort to create a more accurate prediction algorithm. These algorithms consist of embedology, neural networks, Euclidean space nearest neighbors, and …


Feature And Model Selection In Feedforward Neural Networks, Jean M. Steppe Jun 1994

Feature And Model Selection In Feedforward Neural Networks, Jean M. Steppe

Theses and Dissertations

This research advances feature and model selection for feedforward neural networks. Feature selection involves determining a good feature subset given a set of candidate features. Model selection involves determining an appropriate architecture number of middle nodes for the neural network. Specific advances are made in neural network feature saliency metrics used for evaluating or ranking features, statistical identification of irrelevant noisy features, and statistical investigation of reduced neural network architectures and reduced feature subsets. New feature saliency metrics are presented which provide a more succinct quantitative measure of a features importance than other similar metrics. A catalogue of feature saliency …


Subgrouped Real Time Recurrent Learning Neural Networks, Jeffrey S. Dean May 1994

Subgrouped Real Time Recurrent Learning Neural Networks, Jeffrey S. Dean

Theses and Dissertations

A subgrouped Real Time Recurrent Learning (RTRL) network was evaluated. The one layer net successfully learns the XOR problem, and can be trained to perform time dependent functions. The net was tested as a predictor on the behavior of a signal, based on past behavior. While the net was not able to predict the signal's future behavior, it tracked the signal closely. The net was also tested as a classifier for time varying phenomena; for the differentiation of five classes of vehicle images based on features extracted from the visual information. The net achieved a 99.2% accuracy in recognizing the …


A Fortran Based Learning System Using Multilayer Back-Propagation Neural Network Techniques, Gregory L. Reinhart Mar 1994

A Fortran Based Learning System Using Multilayer Back-Propagation Neural Network Techniques, Gregory L. Reinhart

Theses and Dissertations

An interactive computer system which allows the researcher to build an optimal neural network structure quickly, is developed and validated. This system assumes a single hidden layer perceptron structure and uses the back- propagation training technique. The software enables the researcher to quickly define a neural network structure, train the neural network, interrupt training at any point to analyze the status of the current network, re-start training at the interrupted point if desired, and analyze the final network using two- dimensional graphs, three-dimensional graphs, confusion matrices and saliency metrics. A technique for training, testing, and validating various network structures and …


Anns An X Window Based Version Of The Afit Neural Network Simulator, Ching-Seh Wu Jun 1993

Anns An X Window Based Version Of The Afit Neural Network Simulator, Ching-Seh Wu

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents an X Window based neural network simulation environment developed at Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) using the techniques of modern software engineering. This artificial neural network simulator is a tool running on Sun SPARCstations and supporting two user modes: end-users and client-programmers. End-users interact with neural network paradigms developed by client-programmers for the purpose of studying and analyzing the execution of a particular Neural Network (NN) paradigm, or class of NN algorithms. Client programmers maintain the system and use this environment for the development of new NN paradigms or algorithms for end-users. The development follows a …


Etann Hardware Implementation For Radar Emitter Identification, James B. Calvin Jr. Dec 1992

Etann Hardware Implementation For Radar Emitter Identification, James B. Calvin Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated classification of 30 radar emitters with 16 signal features using Intel's 80170NX chip, the Electronically Trainable Analog Neural Network (ETANN). Software tools were developed to characterize the ETANN sigmoidal transfer function for use in a custom simulator, known as Neural Graphics. Neural Graphics operates on a Silicon Graphics workstation. The Intel Neural Network Training System simulators were used in early experiments, but were found to be inefficient in training on data used in this research. Using a modified Neural Graphics simulator, single chip and multi-chip experiments were performed to provide benchmark results prior to performing chip-in-loop training. …


Face Recognition With Neural Networks, Dennis L. Krepp Dec 1992

Face Recognition With Neural Networks, Dennis L. Krepp

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated neural networks for face verification and classification. The research concentrated on developing a neural network based feature extractor and/or classifier to perform authorized user verification in a realistic work environment. Recognition accuracy, system assumptions, training time, and execution time were analyzed to determine the feasibility of a neural network approach. Data was collected using a camcorder and two segmentation schemes: manual segmentation and motion-based, automatic segmentation. Data consisted of over 2000. 32x32 pixel, 8 bit gray scale images of 52 subjects; each subject had two to ten days worth of images collected. Several training and test sets …