Cellular non‐linear networks for minimization of functionals. Part 1: Theoretical aspects
Marco Storace, Federico Bizzarri, Mauro Parodi · International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications · 2001
Abstract A method for the definition of cellular non‐linear networks able to find approximate minima of rather a large class of continuous functionals is proposed and discussed from a theoretical point of view. The method is based on the spatial discretization of continuous functionals and on the theory of potential functions for resistive circuits. The discretization of the continuous functionals is obtained by resorting to the finite difference method or to the finite element method. The spatial discretization converts a functional into a function of a finite set of variables. By exploiting the theory of potential functions for resistive circuits, from such a function one can derive a lumped circuit that makes it possible to find an approximate minimum of the given functional. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.