Nonlinear Modeling of Time Series Using Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS)

Abstract

MARS is a new methodology, due to Friedman, for nonlinear regression modeling. MARS can be conceptualized as a generalization of recursive partitioning that uses spline fitting in lieu of other simple functions. Given a set of predictor variables, MARS fits a model in a form of an expansion of product spline basis functions of predictors chosen during a forward and backward recursive partitioning strategy. MARS produces continuous models for discrete data that can have multiple partitions and multilinear terms. Predictor variable contributions and interactions in a MARS model may be analyzed using an ANOVA style decomposition. By letting the predictor variables in MARS be lagged values of a time series, one obtains a new method for nonlinear autoregressive threshold modeling of time series. A significant feature of this extension of MARS is its ability to produce models with limit cycles when modeling time series data that exhibit periodic behavior. In a physical context, limit cycles represent a stationary state of sustained oscillations, a satisfying behavior for any model of a time series with periodic behavior. Analysis of the Wolf sunspot numbers with MARS appears to give an improvement over existing nonlinear Threshold and Bilinear models. (kr)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA222710

Entities

People

  • James G. Stevens
  • Peter A. Lewis

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  • Naval Postgraduate School

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  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

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  • Mathematics

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  • Approximation Theory.
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  • Regression Analysis.