A Hybrid Training Algorithm for Feedforward Neural Networks

Feedforward neural networks (FNN) have been proposed to solve complex problems in pattern recognition, classification and function approximation. Despite the general success of learning methods for FNN, such as the backpropagation (BP) algorithm, second-order algorithms, long learning time for convergence remains a problem to be overcome. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid algorithm for a FNN that combines unsupervised training for the hidden neurons (Kohonen algorithm) and supervised training for the output neurons (gradient descent method). Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm compared with other well-known learning methods.