In this computer-based era, neural networks are an invaluable tool. They have been applied extensively in business forecasting, machine health monitoring, process control, and laboratory data analysis due to their modeling capabilities. There are numerous applications for neural networks, but a great deal of care and expertise is necessary to keep a neural-based project in working order. This all-inclusive coverage gives you everything you need to put neural networks into practice. This informative book shows the reader how to plan, run, and benefit from a neural-based project without running into the roadblocks that often crop up. Theauthor uses the most popular type of neural network, the Multi-Layer Perceptron, and presents every step of its development. Each chapter presents a subsequent stage in network development through easy-to-follow discussion. Every decision and possible problem is considered in depth, and solutions are offered. The book includes a how-to-do-it reference section, and a set of worked examples. The second half of the book examines the sucessful application of neural networks in fields including signal processing, financial prediction, business decision support, and process monitoring and control. The book comes complete with a disk containing C and C++ programs to get you started.