Welcome to our guide to understanding the multi layer perceptron model! This artificial neural network is used for a variety of applications, including image recognition, natural language processing, and prediction tasks. Follow along as we break down the processing steps and techniques used in MLP training.
Introduction to Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP)
The MLP is a type of artificial neural network that consists of input, hidden, and output layers. Each layer contains multiple nodes, or neurons, that process and transmit information. During training, the MLP learns to weight the input signals to produce the correct output. This type of model can be used for many tasks, including classification and regression.
Features
This section discusses the various features of MLPs, including the activation function and number of hidden layers used. We will also explore how to determine the optimal number of neurons for a specific task.
Applications
We will delve into the various applications where MLPs are used, including speech recognition, handwriting analysis, and fraud detection. Additionally, we will go over some of the successes and limitations of this type of model.
Challenges
In this section, we will explore some of the challenges presented by MLPs, including overfitting and selection of the appropriate regularization technique to tune the model.
Feedforward Processing Steps
One of the most important parts of MLP training is the feedforward step, where input data is passed through the network to produce an output. This section will describe the steps of feedforward and explain how it contributes to the optimization of the network.
Input Layer
The input layer receives the data and applies a weight to produce an intermediate signal.
Hidden Layers
These layers process the intermediate signal from the input layer to produce a final signal. Each neuron in the hidden layer applies an activation function to its input.
Output Layer
The output layer receives the final signal from the hidden layers and applies another weight to produce the final output. The output can be compared to the expected value to measure the error.
Activation Functions Used in MLP
Activation functions play a crucial role in the behaviour and performance of MLPs. This section describes some of the most commonly used activation functions and highlights their strengths and weaknesses.
Sigmoid Function
A commonly used activation function, the sigmoid function, transforms the input into a probability output. One of its strengths is that it is differentiable and continuous, making it amenable to optimization.
ReLU Function
This function sets all negative values to zero, only activating neurons when the input is positive. It is efficient due to its simple computation and sparse activation.
Tanh Function
This is a scaled version of the sigmoid function that ranges between -1 and 1. It is sometimes preferred over the sigmoid function because of its resistance to vanishing gradients.
Backpropagation Algorithm
The backpropagation algorithm is used to calculate the gradient of the error with respect to the weights in the network. This section will describe how backpropagation is used to train MLPs.
Forward Pass
The forward pass applies the feedforward step, which is used to produce an output for comparison to the expected output. This is followed by a calculation of the error between the expected and actual output.
Backward Pass
The backward pass is used to calculate the error with respect to each weight in the network, which is then used to update the weights. This process is repeated many times until the error is minimized.
Applications
This section will discuss a few of the applications of backpropagation and how it is used in real-world systems. This will include the training of deep learning models and image recognition tasks.
Stochastic Gradient Descent Method
One of the most commonly used optimization algorithms, the stochastic gradient descent method, is used to minimize the error in MLPs. This section will discuss how SGD is used to update the weights in the MLP.
Gradient Calculation
The gradient of the error with respect to each weight is calculated for each input in the training set. This is then used to update the weights.
Batch Size
SGD does not update the weights for every input in the training set, but instead only for a randomly selected subset or batch of inputs. This can improve training speed and prevent overfitting.
Learning Rate
The learning rate controls the step size for each update of the weights. A small learning rate can lead to slow convergence, and a large learning rate can result in divergence and instability.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has provided an informative introduction to the processing steps and optimization techniques used in MLPs. With this knowledge, you can begin exploring the various opportunities provided by machine learning and data science. If you are interested in learning more about these topics, check out our online courses and resources.