title: Evaluating the Vapnik-Chervonenkis dimension of artificial neural networks using the Poincaré polynomial.
abstract: The Vapnik-Chervonenkis (V-C) dimension of a set of functions representing a feed-forward, multi-layered, single output artificial neural network (ANN) with hard-limited activation functions can be evaluated using the Poincaré polynomial of the implied hyperplane arrangement. This ANN is geometrically a hyperplane arrangement, which is configured to dichotomize a signed set (i.e., a two-class set). As it is known that the cut-intersections of the hyperplane arrangement forms a semi-lattice, the Poincaré polynomial can be used to evaluate certain geometric invariants of this semi-lattice, in particular, the cardinality of the resultant chamber set of the arrangements, which is shown to be the V-C dimension. From this theory, we arrive at a stable formula to compute the V-C dimension values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 P Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7765, USA
authors.forename: Martha A.
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Mark E.
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Oxley