A Formal Method for Verification and Validation of Neural Network High Assurance Systems, Phase I

Our proposed innovation is to develop neural network (NN) rule extraction technology to a level where it can be incorporated into a software tool, we are calling NNRules, which captures a trained neural network?s decision logic and uses it as a basis for verification and validation (V&V) of the neural network. This formalism has never been attempted. The significance of the NNRules innovation is that: ? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Federal Aviation Administration are currently researching the potential of neural networks in mission- and safety-critical systems. ? High assurance neural network applications require rigorous verification and validation techniques. ? The adaptive and ?black box? characteristics of neural networks make verification and validation of neural networks practically intractable. ? Rule-based systems have a more visible, and potentially human readable, decision logic that supports a robust set of verification techniques. ? Neural network rule extraction research has developed algorithms that translate a neural network into an equivalent set of rules. NNRules embeds this technology in a generally usable tool that will dramatically increase the ability to V&V high assurance neural networks.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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