Structure optimisation of input layer for feed-forward NARX neural network

This paper presents an optimization method for reducing the number of input channels and the complexity of the feed-forward NARX neural network (NN) without compromising the accuracy of the NN model. By utilizing the correlation analysis method, the most significant regressors are selected to form the input layer of the NN structure. Applications of vehicle handling and ride model identification are presented in this paper to demonstrate the optimization technique. The optimal input layer structure and the optimal number of neurons for the NN models are investigated and the results show that the optimised NN model requires significantly less coefficients and training time while maintains high simulation accuracy compared with that of the unoptimised model.