theta-Adaptive neural networks: A new approach to parameter estimation

A novel use of neural networks for parameter estimation in nonlinear systems is proposed. The approximating ability of the neural network is used to identify the relation between system variables and parameters of a dynamic system. Two different algorithms, a block estimation method and a recursive estimation method, are proposed. The block estimation method consists of the training of a neural network to approximate the mapping between the system response and the system parameters which in turn is used to identify the parameters of the nonlinear system. In the second method, the neural network is used to determine a recursive algorithm to update the parameter estimate. Both methods are useful for parameter estimation in systems where either the structure of the nonlinearities present are unknown or when the parameters occur nonlinearly. Analytical conditions under which successful estimation can be carried out and several illustrative examples verifying the behavior of the algorithms through simulations are presented.