Neural Network Implementation of Binary Trees

Abstract

Multiple layer artificial neural network (ANN) structure is capable of implementing arbitrary input-output mappings. Similarly, hierarchical classifiers, more commonly known as decision trees, possess the capabilities of generating arbitrarily complex decision boundaries in an ndimensional space. Given a decision tree, it is possible to restructure it as a multilayered neural network. The objective of this paper is to show how this mapping of decision trees into multilayer neural network structure can be exploited for the systematic design of a class of layered neural networks, called entropy nets, that have far fewer connections.