Recurrent neural networks for remaining useful life estimation

Abstract

This paper presents an approach and solution to the IEEE 2008 Prognostics and Health Management conference challenge problem. The solution utilizes an advanced recurrent neural network architecture to estimate the remaining useful life of the system. The recurrent neural network is trained with back-propagation through time gradient calculations, an Extended Kalman Filter training method, and evolutionary algorithms to generate an accurate and compact algorithm. This solution placed second overall in the competition with a very small margin between the first and second place finishers.