Rule-based models of multivariable functions

This study is devoted to fuzzy rule based modelling of multiple-input single-output nonlinear numerical relationships. The model under investigation is viewed as a collection of conditional statements “if state Ω_i then y = g_i(x, a_i)”, i = 1, 2,…, N with Ω_i being a fuzzy relation defined in the space of the input variables. In contrast to the commonly encountered identification approach that is dwelled upon discrete experimental data, the one proposed in this study is concerned with explicitly articulated nonlinear input-output relationship. The main thrust is in the development of a fuzzy partition of the input variables completed through a sequence of fuzzy relations rather than Cartesian products of fuzzy sets. This approach allows us to maintain the number of necessary rules under control and avoid a combinatorial explosion otherwise inevitable in situations of highly multivariable functions. Introduced are criteria of separability and function variability whose objective is to guide a distribution and granularity of the linguistic labels forming the condition part of the rules.