Analytic design of information granulation-based fuzzy radial basis function neural networks with the aid of multiobjective particle swarm optimization

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to consider the concept of Fuzzy Radial Basis Function Neural Networks with Information Granulation (IG-FRBFNN) and their optimization realized by means of the Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO). Design/methodology/approach - In fuzzy modeling, complexity, interpretability (or simplicity) as well as accuracy of the obtained model are essential design criteria. Since the performance of the IG-RBFNN model is directly affected by some parameters, such as the fuzzification coefficient used in the FCM, the number of rules and the orders of the polynomials in the consequent parts of the rules, the authors carry out both structural as well as parametric optimization of the network. A multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization using Crowding Distance (MOPSO-CD) as well as O/WLS learning-based optimization are exploited to carry out the structural and parametric optimization of the model, respectively, while the optimization is of multiobjective character as it is aimed at the simultaneous minimization of complexity and maximization of accuracy. Findings - The performance of the proposed model is illustrated with the aid of three examples. The proposed optimization method leads to an accurate and highly interpretable fuzzy model. Originality/value - A MOPSO-CD as well as O/WLS learning-based optimization are exploited, respectively, to carry out the structural and parametric optimization of the model. As a result, the proposed methodology is interesting for designing an accurate and highly interpretable fuzzy model.