Approximation in rough native spaces by shifts of smooth kernels on spheres

Within the conventional framework of a native space structure, a smooth kernel generates a small native space, and “radial basis functions” stemming from the smooth kernel are intended to approximate only functions from this small native space. Therefore their approximation power is quite limited. Recently, Narcowich et al. (J. Approx. Theory 114 (2002) 70), and Narcowich and Ward (SIAM J. Math. Anal., to appear), respectively, have studied two approaches that have led to the empowerment of smooth radial basis functions in a larger native space. In the approach of [NW], the radial basis function interpolates the target function at some scattered (prescribed) points. In both approaches, approximation power of the smooth radial basis functions is achieved by utilizing spherical polynomials of a (possibly) large degree to form an intermediate approximation between the radial basis approximation and the target function. In this paper, we take a new approach. We embed the smooth radial basis functions in a larger native space generated by a less smooth kernel, and use them to approximate functions from the larger native space. Among other results, we characterize the best approximant with respect to the metric of the larger native space to be the radial basis function that interpolates the target function on a set of finite scattered points after the action of a certain multiplier operator. We also establish the error bounds between the best approximant and the target function.     

Approximation power of RBFs and their associated SBFs: a connection

Error estimates for scattered data interpolation by “shifts” of a conditionally positive definite function (CPD) for target functions in its native space, which is its associated reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS), have been known for a long time. Regardless of the underlying manifold, for example ℝⁿ or S ⁿ, these error estimates are determined by the rate of decay of the Fourier transform (or Fourier series) of the CPD. This paper deals with the restriction of radial basis functions (RBFs), which are radial CPD functions on ℝⁿ⁺¹, to the unit sphere S ⁿ. In the paper, we first strengthen a result derived by two of us concerning an explicit representation of the Fourier–Legendre coefficients of the restriction in terms of the Fourier transform of the RBF. In addition, for RBFs that are related to completely monotonic functions, we derive a new integral representation for these coefficients in terms of the measure generating the completely monotonic function. These representations are then utilized to show that if an RBF has a native space equivalent to a Sobolev space H _s(ℝⁿ⁺¹), then the restriction to S ⁿ has a native space equivalent to H _s−1/2(S ⁿ). In addition, they are used to recover the asymptotic behavior of such coefficients for a wide variety of RBFs. Some of these were known earlier. Joseph D. Ward: Francis J. Narcowich: Research supported by grant DMS-0204449 from the National Science Foundation.     

Recent developments in error estimates for scattered-data interpolation via radial basis functions

Error estimates for scattered data interpolation by shifts of a positive definite function for target functions in the associated reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) have been known for a long time. However, apart from special cases where data is gridded, these interpolation estimates do not apply when the target functions generating the data are outside of the associated RKHS, and in fact until very recently no estimates were known in such situations. In this paper, we review these estimates in cases where the underlying space is Rⁿ and the positive definite functions are radial basis functions (RBFs). AMS subject classification 41A25, 41A05, 41A63, 42B35Research supported by grant DMS-0204449 from the National Science Foundation.     

The Embedding Theory of Native Spaces

In the theory of radial basis functions, mathematicians use linear combinations of the translates of the radial basis functions as interpolants. The set of these linear combinations is a normed vector space. This space can be completed and become a Hilbert space, called native space, which is of great importance in the last decade. The native space then contains some abstract elements which are not linear combinations of radial basis functions. The meaning of these abstract elements is not fully known. This paper presents some interpretations for the these elements. The native spaces are embedded into some well-known spaces. For example, the Sobolev-space is shown to be a native space. Since many differential equations have solutions in the Sobolev-space, we can therefore approximate the solutions by linear combinations of radial basis functions. Moreover, the famous question of the embedding of the native space into L²(Ω) is also solved by the author.     

Approximation on the sphere using radial basis functions plus polynomials

In this paper we analyse a hybrid approximation of functions on the sphere by radial basis functions combined with polynomials, with the radial basis functions assumed to be generated by a (strictly) positive definite kernel. The approximation is determined by interpolation at scattered data points, supplemented by side conditions on the coefficients to ensure a square linear system. The analysis is first carried out in the native space associated with the kernel (with no explicit polynomial component, and no side conditions). A more refined error estimate is obtained for functions in a still smaller space. Numerical calculations support the utility of this hybrid approximation.      

The Embedding Theory of Native Spaces

In the theory of radial basis functions, mathematicians use linear combinations of the translates of the radial basis functions as interpolants. The set of these linear combinations is a normed vector space. This space can be completed and become a Hilbert space, called native space, which is of great importance in the last decade. The native space then contains some abstract elements which are not linear combinations of radial basis functions. The meaning of these abstract elements is not fully known. This paper presents some interpretations for the these elements. The native spaces are embedded into some well-known spaces. For example, the Sobolev-space is shown to be a native space. Since many differential equations have solutions in the Sobolev-space, we can therefore approximate the solutions by linear combinations of radial basis functions. Moreover, the famous question of the embedding of the native space into L²() is also solved by the author.     

Sobolev-type approximation rates for divergence-free and curl-free RBF interpolants

Recently, error estimates have been made available for divergence-free radial basis function (RBF) interpolants. However, these results are only valid for functions within the associated reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) of the matrix-valued RBF. Functions within the associated RKHS, also known as the ``native space' of the RBF, can be characterized as vector fields having a specific smoothness, making the native space quite small. In this paper we develop Sobolev-type error estimates when the target function is less smooth than functions in the native space.

     

Inverse and saturation theorems for radial basis function interpolation

While direct theorems for interpolation with radial basis functions are intensively investigated, little is known about inverse theorems so far. This paper deals with both inverse and saturation theorems. For an inverse theorem we especially show that a function that can be approximated sufficiently fast must belong to the native space of the basis function in use. In case of thin plate spline interpolation we also give certain saturation theorems.

     

Semi-infinite cardinal interpolation with multiquadrics and beyond

This paper concerns the interpolation with radial basis functions on half-spaces, where the centres are multi-integers restricted to half-spaces as well. The existence of suitable Lagrange functions is shown for multiquadrics and inverse multiquadrics radial basis functions, as well as the decay rate and summability of its coefficients. The main technique is a so-called Wiener–Hopf factorisation of the symbol of the radial basis function and the careful study of the smoothness of its 2π-periodic factors. Dedicated to Charles A. Micchelli on his 60th Birthday Mathematics subject classifications (2000) 41A05, 41A15, 41A63, 47A68, 65D05, 65D07.     

Sobolev Error Estimates and a Bernstein Inequality for Scattered Data Interpolation via Radial Basis Functions

Error estimates for scattered-data interpolation via radial basis functions (RBFs) for target functions in the associated reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) have been known for a long time. Recently, these estimates have been extended to apply to certain classes of target functions generating the data which are outside the associated RKHS. However, these classes of functions still were not "large" enough to be applicable to a number of practical situations. In this paper we obtain Sobolev-type error estimates on compact regions of Rⁿ when the RBFs have Fourier transforms that decay algebraically. In addition, we derive a Bernstein inequality for spaces of finite shifts of an RBF in terms of the minimal separation parameter.     

Sobolev bounds on functions with scattered zeros, with applications to radial basis function surface fitting

In this paper we discuss Sobolev bounds on functions that vanish at scattered points in a bounded, Lipschitz domain that satisfies a uniform interior cone condition. The Sobolev spaces involved may have fractional as well as integer order. We then apply these results to obtain estimates for continuous and discrete least squares surface fits via radial basis functions (RBFs). These estimates include situations in which the target function does not belong to the native space of the RBF.

     

Sampling inequalities for infinitely smooth radial basis functions and its application to error estimates

Recently, Rieger and Zwicknagl (2010) have introduced sampling inequalities for infinitely smooth functions to derive Sobolev-type error estimates. They introduced exponential convergence orders for functions within the native space associated with the given radial basis function (RBF). Our major concern of this paper is to extend the results made in Rieger and Zwicknagl (2010). We derive generalized sampling inequalities for the larger class of infinitely smooth RBFs, including multiquadrics, inverse multiquadrics, shifted surface splines and Gaussians.     

Numerical experiments on optimal shape parameters for radial basis functions

A numerical investigation on a technique for choosing an optimal shape parameter is proposed. Radial basis functions (RBFs) and their derivatives are used as interpolants in the asymmetric collocation radial basis method, for solving systems of partial differential equations. The shape parameter c in RBFs plays a major role in obtaining high quality solutions for boundary value problems. As c is a user defined value, inexperienced users may compromise the quality of the solution, often a problem of this meshless method. Here we propose a statistical technique to choose the shape parameter in radial basis functions. We use a cross‐validation technique suggested by Rippa 6 for interpolation problems to find a cost function Cost(c) that ideally has the same behavior as an error function. If that is the case, the parameter c that minimizes the cost function will be an optimal shape parameter, in the sense that it minimizes the error function. The form of the cost and error functions are analized for several examples, and for most cases the two functions have a similar behavior. The technique produced very accurate results, even with a small number of points and irregular grids. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010     

Quasi-interpolation by thin-plate splines on a square

Quasi-interpolation is one method of generating approximations from a space of translates of dilates of a single function ψ. This method has been applied widely to approximation by radial basis functions. However, such analysis has most often been performed in the setting of an infinite uniform grid of centers. In this paper we develop general error bounds for approximation by quasiinterpolation on ann-cube. The quasi-interpolant analyzed involves a finite number, growing ash ^?n , of translates of dilates of the function ψ, and a bounded number of edge functions. The centers of the translates of dilates of ψ form a uniformly spaced grid within the cube. These error bounds are then applied to approximation by thin-plate splines on a square. The result is an O(ω(f, [-1,1]²,h)) error bound for approximation by thin-plate splines supplemented with eight arctan functions.     

Near-optimal data-independent point locations for radial basis function interpolation

The goal of this paper is to construct data-independent optimal point sets for interpolation by radial basis functions. The interpolation points are chosen to be uniformly good for all functions from the associated native Hilbert space. To this end we collect various results on the power function, which we use to show that good interpolation points are always uniformly distributed in a certain sense. We also prove convergence of two different greedy algorithms for the construction of near-optimal sets which lead to stable interpolation. Finally, we provide several examples. AMS subject classification 41A05, 41063, 41065, 65D05, 65D15This work has been done with the support of the Vigoni CRUI-DAAD programme, for the years 2001/2002, between the Universities of Verona and Göttingen.     

On the structure of function spaces in optimal recovery of point functionals for ENO-schemes by radial basis functions

Summary. Radial basis functions are used in the recovery step of finite volume methods for the numerical solution of conservation laws. Being conditionally positive definite such functions generate optimal recovery splines in the sense of Micchelli and Rivlin in associated native spaces. We analyse the solvability to the recovery problem of point functionals from cell average values with radial basis functions. Furthermore, we characterise the corresponding native function spaces and provide error estimates of the recovery scheme. Finally, we explicitly list the native spaces to a selection of radial basis functions, thin plate splines included, before we provide some numerical examples of our method. Received March 14, 1995     

A density theorem for matrix-valued radial basis functions

Recently a new class of customized radial basis functions (RBFs) was introduced. We revisit this class of RBFs and derive a density result guaranteeing that any sufficiently smooth divergence-free function can be approximated arbitrarily closely by a linear combination of members of this class. This result has potential applications to numerically solving differential equations, such as fluid flows, whose solution is divergence free. AMS subject classification 41Axx, 41A30, 41A35, 41A60Svenja Lowitzsch: The results are part of the authorss dissertation written at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.     

On the solution of the non-local parabolic partial differential equations via radial basis functions

In this paper, the problem of solving the one-dimensional parabolic partial differential equation subject to given initial and non-local boundary conditions is considered. The approximate solution is found using the radial basis functions collocation method. There are some difficulties in computing the solution of the time dependent partial differential equations using radial basis functions. If time and space are discretized using radial basis functions, the resulted coefficient matrix will be very ill-conditioned and so the corresponding linear system cannot be solved easily. As an alternative method for solution, we can use finite-difference methods for discretization of time and radial basis functions for discretization of space. Although this method is easy to use but an accurate solution cannot be provided. In this work an efficient collocation method is proposed for solving non-local parabolic partial differential equations using radial basis functions. Numerical results are presented and are compared with some existing methods.     

Embeddings of Beppo–Levi spaces in Hölder–Zygmund spaces, and a new method for radial basis function interpolation error estimates

The Beppo–Levi native spaces which arise when using polyharmonic splines to interpolate in many space dimensions are embedded in Hölder–Zygmund spaces. Convergence rates for radial basis function interpolation are inferred in some special cases.     

Spherical Scattered Data Quasi-interpolation by Gaussian Radial Basis Function

Since the spherical Gaussian radial function is strictly positive definite, the authors use the linear combinations of translations of the Gaussian kernel to interpolate the scattered data on spheres in this article. Seeing that target functions are usually outside the native spaces, and that one has to solve a large scaled system of linear equations to obtain combinatorial coefficients of interpolant functions, the authors first probe into some problems about interpolation with Gaussian radial functions. Then they construct quasiinterpolation operators by Gaussian radial function, and get the degrees of approximation. Moreover, they show the error relations between quasi-interpolation and interpolation when they have the same basis functions. Finally, the authors discuss the construction and approximation of the quasi-interpolant with a local support function.