Model Browser User's Guide

Global Model Class: Radial Basis Function

A variety of radial basis functions (RBFs) are available in MBC. They are all radially symmetrical functions that can be visualized as mapping a flexible surface across a selection of hills or bowls, which can be circular or elliptical.

Networks of RBFs can model a wide variety of surfaces. You can optimize on the number of centers and their position, height and width. You can have different widths of centers in different factors. RBFs can be very useful for investigating the shapes of surfaces when system knowledge is low. Combining several RBFs allows complicated surfaces to be modeled with relatively few parameters. The following example shows a surface of an RBF model.

There is a detailed user guide for modeling using RBFs in Radial Basis Functions. See especially Tips for Modeling with Radial Basis Functions and Types of Radial Basis Functions.

The statistical basis for each setting in the RBF global models is explained in detail in Guide to Radial Basis Functions for Model Building.

The following example illustrates the types of RBF available.

Global Linear Models: Polynomials and Hybrid Splines

Global Model Class: Hybrid RBF