Local cluster neural net: Architecture, training and applications

This paper describes the structure, training and computational abilities of the local cluster (LC) artificial neural net architecture. LC nets are a special class of multilayer perceptrons that use sigmoid functions to generate localised functions. LC nets train as fast as radial basis functions nets and are more general. They are well suited for both, multi-dimensional function approximation and discrete classification. The LC net is the result of our search for a widely applicable neural net architecture suitable for low-cost hardware realisation. The LC net seem particularly well suited for analog VLSI realisation of small-size, low-power, fully parallel neural net chip for real time control applications. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.