A two-layer paradigm capable of forming arbitrary decision regions in input space

It is well known that a two-layer perceptron network with threshold neurons is incapable of forming arbitrary decision regions in input space, while a three-layer perceptron has that capability. The effect of replacing the output neuron in a two-layer perceptron with a bithreshold element is studied. The limitations of this modified two-layer perceptron are observed. Results on the separating capabilities of a pair of parallel hyperplanes are obtained. Based on these, a new two-layer neural paradigm based on increasing the dimensionality of the output of the first layer is proposed and is shown to be capable of forming any arbitrary decision region in input space. Then a type of logic called bithreshold logic, based on the bithreshold neuron transfer function, is studied. Results on the limits of switching function realizability using bithreshold gates are obtained.