Towards accurate and reproducible predictions for prognostic : an approach combining a RRBF Network and an AutoRegressive Model

In prognostic's field, the lack of knowledge on the behavior of equipments can impede the development of classical dependability analysis, or the building of effective physic-based models. Following that, artificial neural networks (ANNs) appear to be well suited since they can learn from data gathered from equipments. In this paper, an approach combining a Recurrent Radial Basis Function network (RRBF) and an AutoRegressive with eXogenous inputs model (ARX) is proposed in order to perform the prediction step of prognostics: the ARX attempts to correct the error of predictions of the RRBF. Moreover, since performances of an ANN can be closely related to initial parameterization of the network, a criterion is defined to quantify the reproducibility of predictions and thereby a priori estimate the usefulness of neural network structure. The whole aims at improving the prediction step of prognostics, which is critical with respects to real applicative conditions.