Fuzzy approximation via grid point sampling and singular value decomposition

This paper introduces a new approach for fuzzy approximation of continuous function on a compact domain. The approach calls for sampling the function over a set of rectangular grid points and applying singular value decomposition to the sample matrix. The resulting quantities are then tailored to become rule consequences and membership functions via the conditions of sum normalization and non-negativeness. The inference paradigm of product-sum-gravity is apparent from the structure of the decomposition equation. All information are extracted directly from the function samples. The present approach yields a class of equivalent fuzzy approximator to a given function. A tight bounding technique to facilitate normal or close-to-normal membership functions is also formulated. The fuzzy output approximates the given function to within an error which is dependent on the sampling intervals and the singular values discarded from the approximation process. Trade-off between the number of membership functions and the desired approximation accuracy is also discussed.