Knowledge Aggregation Transformer Network for Multivariate Time Series Classification

Over the years, various sophisticated deep learning algorithms have surfaced for multivariate time series classification (MTSC), notably the dual-network-based model. This model comprises two parallel networks tailored to time series data: one for local feature extraction and the other for global relation extraction. However, effectively integrating these dual networks poses a significant challenge. To address this, we propose a knowledge aggregation transformer network (KATN) for MTSC. KATN, composed of four aggregation transformer blocks, extracts abundant regularizations and connections hidden within the data. Each block incorporates a modified residual network (MResNet) for local feature extraction and a multi-head attention network for global relation extraction. Initially, the block merges MResNet’s output feature with that of the multi-head attention network through an additive operation. Subsequently, it aligns features with a fully connected (i.e., dense) layer and activates neural units using the Gaussian error linear unit function. This strategic feature aggregation allows for capturing long-range dependencies among multiple variables in multivariate time series data. Experimental results demonstrate that KATN significantly outperforms 6 state-of-the-art transformer variants, achieving a ‘win’/‘tie’/‘lose’ record of 9/6/15 and securing the lowest AVG_rank score. Furthermore, when evaluated against 18 existing MTSC algorithms across 13 UEA datasets, KATN consistently delivers superior performance, attaining the lowest AVG_rank score among all compared methods.