A gradient-based automatic optimization CNN framework for EEG state recognition

Abstract Objective . The electroencephalogram (EEG) signal, as a data carrier that can contain a large amount of information about the human brain in different states, is one of the most widely used metrics for assessing human psychophysiological states. Among a variety of analysis methods, deep learning, especially convolutional neural network (CNN), has achieved remarkable results in recent years as a method to effectively extract features from EEG signals. Although deep learning has the advantages of automatic feature extraction and effective classification, it also faces difficulties in network structure design and requires an army of prior knowledge. Automating the design of these hyperparameters can therefore save experts’ time and manpower. Neural architecture search techniques have thus emerged. Approach . In this paper, based on an existing gradient-based neural architecture search (NAS) algorithm, partially-connected differentiable architecture search (PC-DARTS), with targeted improvements and optimizations for the characteristics of EEG signals. Specifically, we establish the model architecture step by step based on the manually designed deep learning models for EEG discrimination by retaining the framework of the search algorithm and performing targeted optimization of the model search space. Corresponding features are extracted separately according to the frequency domain, time domain characteristics of the EEG signal and the spatial position of the EEG electrode. The architecture was applied to EEG-based emotion recognition and driver drowsiness assessment tasks. Main results . The results illustrate that compared with the existing methods, the model architecture obtained in this paper can achieve competitive overall accuracy and better standard deviation in both tasks. Significance . Therefore, this approach is an effective migration of NAS technology into the field of EEG analysis and has great potential to provide high-performance results for other types of classification and prediction tasks. This can effectively reduce the time cost for researchers and facilitate the application of CNN in more areas.