NeuroSolutions

The Data Manager module allows the user to import data from Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel or text files and perform various preprocessing and data analysis operations. From the Data Manager, the user can load the data directly into a NeuroSolutions breadboard or use the data to create a new neural network.

The NeuralBuilder centers the design specifications on the specific neural network architecture the user wishes to build. Some of the most common architectures include:

• Multilayer perceptron (MLP)
• Generalized feedforward
• Modular (programming)
• Jordan/Elman
• Principal component analysis (PCA)
• Radial basis function network (RBF)
• General regression neural network (GRNN)
• Probabilistic neural network (PNN)
• Self-organizing map (SOM)
• Time-lag recurrent network (TLRN)
• Recurrent neural network
• CANFIS network (Fuzzy logic)
• Support vector machine (SVM)

Once the neural network architecture is selected, the user can customize parameters such as the number of hidden layers, the number of processing elements and the learning algorithm. A genetic algorithm can also be used to automatically optimize the settings.

The Neural Expert centers the design specifications around the type of problem the user would like the neural network to solve (Classification, Prediction, Function approximation or Clustering). Given this problem type and the size of the user's data set, the Neural Expert automatically selects the neural network size and architecture that will likely produce a good solution. There is also an optional beginner setting that hides some of the more advanced operations such as cross validation and genetic optimization.

NeuroSolutions is based on the concept that neural networks can be broken down into a fundamental set of neural components. Individually these components are relatively simplistic, but several components connected together can result in networks capable of solving very complex problems. The network construction wizards will connect these components based on the user's specifications. However, once the network is built the interconnections can be arbitrarily changed and components can be added or removed. NeuroSolutions will also allow you to integrate your own algorithms through dynamic link libraries (DLL). Every NeuroSolutions component implements a function conforming to a simple protocol in C. To add a new component, you can modify the template function for the base component and then compile the code into a DLL.

NeuroSolutions can automatically generate C++ source code for a neural network designed within its graphical user interface. This provides the flexibility to customize the neural network code for the particular application. Since the generated code is ANSI-compliant, the user can deploy the neural network solution to other platforms such as UNIX.

The Custom Solution Wizard is an optional add-on product that will take a neural network designed within NeuroSolutions and encapsulate it into a dynamic link library (DLL) that conforms to a simple protocol. The DLL can then be embedded into the users own C++, Visual Basic, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access or Internet (ASP) application, without requiring advanced programming skills.

This technology provides the ability to programmatically control NeuroSolutions from any external application that supports Automation, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and applications developed with Visual Basic or Visual C++. In the simplest case, the application developer could send NeuroSolutions the data to process, tell it to begin processing, and then retrieve the results back into the application. However, with its extensive protocol, NeuroSolutions can also do more complex tasks.