This paper explores the application of Noise Contrastive Estimation (NCE) for parameter estimation of directional distributions, with a particular focus on toroidal data. Conventional methods for estimating parameters for such distributions often suffer from computational complexity due to the evaluation of the normalizing constant, not available in a closed form. The proposed approach employs contrastive learning to estimate parameters without requiring a direct evaluation of this constant. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that NCE provides unbiased estimates and exhibits rapid convergence to the true value as sample size increases, reducing Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) significantly. These findings suggest that NCE is a useful alternative for estimating directional distribution parameters.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

On Parameter Estimation of Distributions for Toroidal Data via Contrastive Learning: A Simulation Study

  • Luca Scaffidi Domianello,
  • Cinzia Di Nuzzo,
  • Salvatore Ingrassia

摘要

This paper explores the application of Noise Contrastive Estimation (NCE) for parameter estimation of directional distributions, with a particular focus on toroidal data. Conventional methods for estimating parameters for such distributions often suffer from computational complexity due to the evaluation of the normalizing constant, not available in a closed form. The proposed approach employs contrastive learning to estimate parameters without requiring a direct evaluation of this constant. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that NCE provides unbiased estimates and exhibits rapid convergence to the true value as sample size increases, reducing Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) significantly. These findings suggest that NCE is a useful alternative for estimating directional distribution parameters.