Self-adaptive support vector machines: modelling and experiments

Method In this paper, we introduce a bi-level optimization formulation for the model and feature selection problems of support vector machines (SVMs). A bi-level optimization model is proposed to select the best model, where the standard convex quadratic optimization problem of the SVM training is cast as a subproblem. Feasibility The optimal objective value of the quadratic problem of SVMs is minimized over a feasible range of the kernel parameters at the master level of the bi-level model. Since the optimal objective value of the subproblem is a continuous function of the kernel parameters, through implicity defined over a certain region, the solution of this bi-level problem always exists. The problem of feature selection can be handled in a similar manner. Experiments and results Two approaches for solving the bi-level problem of model and feature selection are considered as well. Iixperimental results show that the bi-level formulation provides a plausible tool for model selection.