Online identification of nonlinear multivariable processes using self‐generating RBF neural networks

This paper addresses the problem of online model identification for multivariable processes with nonlinear and time‐varying dynamic characteristics. For this purpose, two online multivariable identification approaches with self‐organizing neural network model structures will be presented. The two adaptive radial basis function (RBF) neural networks are called as the growing and pruning radial basis function (GAP‐RBF) and minimal resource allocation network (MRAN). The resulting identification algorithms start without a predefined model structure and the dynamic model is generated autonomously using the sequential input‐output data pairs in real‐time applications. The extended Kalman filter (EKF) learning algorithm has been extended for both of the adaptive RBF‐based neural network approaches to estimate the free parameters of the identified multivariable model. The unscented Kalman filter (UKF) has been proposed as an alternative learning algorithm to enhance the accuracy and robustness of nonlinear multivariable processes in both the GAP‐RBF and MRAN based approaches. In addition, this paper intends to study comparatively the general applicability of the particle filter (PF)‐based approaches for the case of non‐Gaussian noisy environments. For this purpose, the Unscented Particle Filter (UPF) is employed to be used as alternative to the EKF and UKF for online parameter estimation of self‐generating RBF neural networks. The performance of the proposed online identification approaches is evaluated on a highly nonlinear time‐varying multivariable non‐isothermal continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) benchmark problem. Simulation results demonstrate the good performances of all identification approaches, especially the GAP‐RBF approach incorporated with the UKF and UPF learning algorithms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society