Training neural networks with ant colony optimization algorithms for pattern classification

Date

2014-06

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

Feed-forward neural networks are commonly used for pattern classification. The classification accuracy of feed-forward neural networks depends on the configuration selected and the training process. Once the architecture of the network is decided, training algorithms, usually gradient descent techniques, are used to determine the connection weights of the feed-forward neural network. However, gradient descent techniques often get trapped in local optima of the search landscape. To address this issue, an ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is applied to train feed-forward neural networks for pattern classification in this paper. In addition, the ACO training algorithm is hybridized with gradient descent training. Both standalone and hybrid ACO training algorithms are evaluated on several benchmark pattern classification problems, and compared with other swarm intelligence, evolutionary and traditional training algorithms. The experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed ACO training algorithms for feed-forward neural networks for pattern classification.

Description

The full text file attached to this record is the authors final peer reviewed version. The publishers version of record can be found by following the DOI link below.

Keywords

Neural networks, Pattern classification, Ant colony optimization

Citation

Mavrovouniotis, M. and Yang, S. (2014) Training neural networks with ant colony optimization algorithms for pattern classification. Soft Computing, 19 (6), pp. 1511-1522

Rights

Research Institute