Neural network

An artificial neural network (ANN) is a generalized mathematical model which is based on biological nervous systems. The fundamental elements of neural networks are artificial neurons. Input, output and hidden are three basic layers of a simple neural network as presented in Figure 13.7. In feed-forward networks, the data flows from input to output units, firmly in a feed-forward path. Both linear and nonlinear classification problems can be solved by applying ANN with various types of network structures and learning algorithm (Haykin, 2010).