Chapter One

1. Introduction to Neural Networks

The contents of this Chapter:

1.1. Neural Networks Overview

1.2. How Neural Networks Work
1.3. Types of Neural Networks
1.4. Applications of Neural Networks
1.5. Advantages of Neural Networks
1.6. Disadvantages of Neural Networks
1.1. Neural Networks Overview

Neural networks are artificial systems that were inspired by biological neural networks. These
systems learn to perform tasks by being exposed to various datasets and examples without any
task-specific rules. The idea is that the system generates identifying characteristics from the data
they have been passed without being programmed with a pre-programmed understanding of
these datasets.

The example below will help you understand neural networks: Consider a scenario where you
have a set of labeled images, and you have to classify the images based on if it is a dog or a cat.
To create a neural network that recognizes images of cats and dogs. The network starts by
processing the input. Each image is made of pixels. For example, the image dimensions might be
20 X 20 pixels that make 400 pixels. Those 400 pixels would make the first layer of our neural
network.
A neural network is made of artificial neurons that receive and process input data. Data is passed
through the input layer, the hidden layer, and the output layer. A neural network process starts
when input data is fed to it. Data is then processed via its layers to provide the desired output. A

neural network learns from structured data and exhibits the output.

Learning taking place within neural networks can be in three different categories:

 Supervised Learning - with the help of labeled data, inputs, and outputs are fed to the
algorithms. They then predict the desired result after being trained on how to interpret
data.
 Unsupervised Learning - ANN learns with no human intervention. There is no labeled
data, and output is determined according to patterns identified within the output data.
 Reinforcement Learning - the network learns depending on the feedback you give it.

The essential building block of a neural network is a perceptron or neuron.

1.2. How Neural Networks work

Neural Networks are complex systems with artificial neurons.
Artificial neurons or perceptron consist of:
 Input
 Weight
 Bias
 Activation Function
 Output

Th
e neurons receive many inputs and process a single output.
Neural networks are comprised of layers of neurons.
These layers consist of the following:
 Input layer
 Multiple hidden layers
 Output layer
The input layer receives data represented by a numeric value. Hidden layers perform the most
computations required by the network. Finally, the output layer predicts the output.
In a neural network, neurons dominate one another. Each layer is made of neurons. Once the
input layer receives data, it is redirected to the hidden layer. Each input is assigned with weights.
The weight is a value in a neural network that converts input data within the network’s hidden
layers. Weights work by input layer, taking input data, and multiplying it by the weight value.
It then initiates a value for the first hidden layer. The hidden layers transform the input data and
pass it to the other layer. The output layer produces the desired output.
The inputs and weights are multiplied, and their sum is sent to neurons in the hidden
layer. Bias is applied to each neuron. Each neuron adds the inputs it receives to get the sum. This
value then transits through the activation function.
The activation function outcome then decides if a neuron is activated or not. An activated neuron
transfers information into the other layers. With this approach, the data gets generated in the
network until the neuron reaches the output layer this is called as forward propagation. Feed-
forward propagation is the process of inputting data into an input node and getting the output
through the output node.
Feed-forward propagation takes place when the hidden layer accepts the input data. Processes it
as per the activation function and passes it to the output. The neuron in the output layer with the
highest probability then projects the result.
If the output is wrong, backpropagation takes place. While designing a neural network, weights
are initialized to each input. Backpropagation means re-adjusting each input’s weights to
minimize the errors, thus resulting in a more accurate output.
1.3. Types of Neural Networks
Neural networks are identified based on mathematical performance and principles to determine
the output. Below we will go over different types of neural networks.
a. Single-layer neural network (Perceptron network)
It is one of the simplest models that can learn and solve complex data problems using neural
networks. Perceptron is also called an artificial neuron.
A perceptron network is comprised of two layers:
 Input Layer
 Output Layer
The input layer computes the weighted input for every node. The activation function is pertained
to get the result as output.

b. Feed Forward Neural Network

In a feed-forward network, data moves in a single direction. It enters via the input nodes and
leaves through output nodes. This is a front propagation wave.
By moving data in one direction, there is no backpropagation. The backpropagation algorithm
calculates the gradient of the loss function with consideration to weights in the network.
The input product sum and their weights are computed. The data later is transferred to the output.
A couple of feed-forward neural networks applications are:
 Speech Recognition
 Facial Recognition
 c. Radial Basis Function Neural Network
Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBF are comprised of three layers:
 Input Layer
 Hidden Layer
 Output Layer
RBF networks classify data based on the distance of any centered point and interpolation.
Interpolation resizes images. Classification is executed by estimating the input data where each
neuron reserves the data. RBF networks look for similar data points and groups them.
According to Dr. Saed Sayad, the sum and weights of hidden layer output sent to the output layer
form a network of outputs.

d. Recurrent Neural Network

Neural networks such as a feed-forward networks move data in one direction. This type of
network has the disadvantage of not remembering the data in past inputs. This is where RNNs
comes into play. RNNs do not work like standard neural networks.
A Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is a network good at modeling sequential data. Sequential
data means data that follow a particular order in that a thing follows another.
In RNN, the output of the previous stage goes back in as an input of the current step. RNN is
a feedback neural network.
Saving the output helps make other decisions.
In RNNs, data runs through a loop, such that each node remembers data in the previous step.
For example: Let’s say you are taking five classes this semester, and this is your schedule:
Monday = Cryptography, Tuesday = Audit of Information Systems, Wednesday = Advanced
Database, Thursday = Java, and Friday = Business intelligence.
For the NN to tell you the class you are studying (any given day), it has to be able to “look” at
the class studied the day before.
With the example above, you can tell the output must go back in as input to decide the next
output.
RNNs have a memory that helps the network recall what happened earlier in the sequence data.
While carrying out operations, neurons also act as memory cells.

RNN are used to solve problems in stock predictions, text data, and audio data.
In other words, it’s used to solve similar problems in text-to-speech conversion and language
translation.
e. Convolution Neural Network
Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are commonly used for image recognition. CNNs
contain three-dimensional neuron arrangement.
The first stage is the convolutional layer. Neurons in a convolutional layer only process
information from a small part of the visual field (image). Input features in convolution are
abstracted in batches.
The second stage is pooling. It reduces the dimensions of the features and, at the same time,
sustaining valuable data.
CNNs launch into the third phase (fully connected neural network) when the features get to the
right granularity level.
At the final stage, the final probabilities are analyzed and decide which class the image belongs
to.
This type of network understands the image in parts. It also computes the operations multiple
times to complete the processing of the image.
Image processing involves conversion from RGB to a grey-scale. After the image is processed,
modifications in pixel value aid in identifying the edges. The images also get grouped into
different classes.
CNN is mainly used in signal and image processing.
 f. Modular Neural Network
A Modular Neural Network (MNN) is composed of unassociated networks working individually
to get the output. The various neural networks do not interact with each other. Each network has
a unique set of inputs compared to other networks.
MNN is advantageous because large and complex computational processes are done faster.
Processes are broken down into independent components, thus increasing the computational
speed.

1.4. Applications of Neural Networks

Neural networks are effectively applied to several fields to resolve data issues, some examples
are listed below.
 Facial Recognition
Neural networks are playing a significant role in facial recognition. Some smartphones can
identify the age of a person. This is based on facial features and visual pattern recognition.
  Weather Forecasting
Neural networks are trained to recognize the patterns and identify distinct kinds of weather.
Weather forecasting, with the help of neural networks, not only predicts the weather.
 Music composition
Neural networks are mastering patterns in sounds and tunes. These networks train
themselves adequately to create new music. They are also being used in music composition
software.
 Image processing and Character recognition
Neural networks can recognize and learn patterns in an image. Image processing is a growing
field.
Image recognition is used in:
 Facial recognition.
 Cancer cell detection.
 Satellite imagery processing for use in defense and agriculture.
Character recognition is helping to detect fraud and national security assessments.
1.5. Advantages of Neural Networks
 Fault tolerance
In a neural network, even if a few neurons are not working properly, that would not prevent the
neural networks from generating outputs.
 Real-time Operations
Neural networks can learn synchronously and easily adapt to their changing environments.
 Adaptive Learning
Neural networks can learn how to work on different tasks. Based on the data given to produce
the right output.
 Parallel processing capacity
Neural networks have the strength and ability to perform multiple jobs simultaneously.

1.6. Disadvantages of Neural Networks

 Unexplained behavior of the network
Neural networks provide a solution to a problem. Due to the complexity of the networks, it
doesn’t provide the reasoning behind “why and how” it made the decisions it made. Therefore,
trust in the network may be reduced.
 Determination of appropriate network structure
There is no specified rule (or rule of thumb) for a neural network procedure. A proper network
structure is achieved by trying the best network, in a trial and error approach. It is a process that
involves refinement.
 Hardware dependence
The pieces of equipment of a neural network are dependent on one another. By which we mean,
that neural networks require (or are highly dependent on) processors with adequate processing
capacity.
1.1. Key Terms of Neural Network
 Neuron: A building block of ANN. It is responsible for accepting input data, performing
calculations, and producing output.
 Input data: Information or data provided to the neurons.
 Artificial Neural Network(ANN): A computational system inspired by the way
biological neural networks in the human brain process information.
 Deep Neural Network: An ANN with many layers placed between the input layer and
the output layer.
 Weights: The strength of the connection between two neurons. Weights determine what
impact the input will have on the output.
 Bias: An additional parameter used along with the sum of the product of weights and
inputs to produce an output.
 Activation Function: Determines the output of a neural network.