Adaptive resonance neural classifier for identification of gases/odours using an integrated sensor array

A new approach to intelligent gas sensor (IGS) design using a classifier based on adaptive resonance theory (ART) artificial neural network (ANN) is presented. Using published data of sensor arrays fabricated and characterised at our laboratory, we demonstrate excellent gas/odour identification performance of our classifier for a 4-gas, 4-sensor system to identify individual gas/odour. Since the ART neural network is a self-organising classifier trained in the unsupervised mode, it avoids the drawbacks associated with static feedforward neural networks trained with locally optimal backpropagation-type training algorithms applied by researchers in the recent past. The ART neural network offers easy implementability and real time performance in addition to giving excellent classification accuracy as demonstrated by our experiments. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.