Skip to main content
Log in

A new kind of neuron model with a tunable activation function and its applications

  • Published:
Science in China Series E: Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A new neuron model with a tunable activation function, denoted by the TAF model, and its application are addressed. The activation function as well as the connection weights of the neuron model can be adjusted in the training process. The two-spiral problem was used as an example to show how to deduce the adjustable activation function required, and how to construct and train the network by the use of thea priori knowledge of the problem. Due to the incorporation of constraints knowna priori into the activation function, many novel aspects are revealed, such as small network size, fast learning and good performances. It is believed that the introduction of the new neuron model will pave a new way in ANN studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Baum, E.B., Lang, K.L., Constructing hidden units using examples and queries, inAdvances in Neural Information Processing Systems (eds. Lippman, P., Moody, J.E., Touretzky, D.S.), Vol. 3. San Mateo, CA: Morgan Kaufmann, 1991 904–910.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chen, Q.C., Thomas, D.W., Nixon, M.S. et al., Generating-shrinking algorithm for learning arbitrary classification,Neural Networks, 1994, 7: 1477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Fahlman, S. E., Leibiere, C., The cascade-correlation learning architecture, inAdvances in Neural Information Processing Systems (ed. Touretzky, D. S.), Vol. 2, San Mateo, CA: Morgan Kaufmann, 1990, 524–532.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Stork, D.G., Allen, J.D., How to solve the N-bit parity problem with two hidden units,Neural Networks, 1992, 5: 923.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Stork, D.G., N-bit parity problems: a reply to Brown and Korn.Neural Networks, 1993, 6: 607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Stork, D.G., Allen, J.D., How to solve the N-bit encoder with only one hidden unit,Neurocomputing, 1993, 5: 141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wu, Y.S., A new approach to design a simplest ANN performing certain specific problems, inProc. ICONIP’95 Beijing, Vol. 1, Beijing: Publishing House of Electronic Industry, 1995, 477–480.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Wu, Y.S., How to choose appropriate transfer function in designing a simplest ANN for solving specific problems,Science in China, Ser. E, 1996, 39(4): 369.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, Y., Zhao, M. & Ding, X. A new kind of neuron model with a tunable activation function and its applications. Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci. 40, 105–112 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916596

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916596

Keywords

Navigation