On a new framework of autoregressive fuzzy time series models

Abstract

Since its birth in 1993, fuzzy time series have seen different classes of models designed and applied, such as fuzzy logic relation and rule-based models. These models have both advantages and disadvantages. The major drawbacks with these two classes of models are the difficulties encountered in identification and analysis of the model. Therefore, there is a strong need to explore new alternatives and this is the objective of this paper. By transforming a fuzzy number to a real number via integrating the inverse of the membership function, new autoregressive models can be developed to fit the observation values of a fuzzy time series. With the new models, the issues of model identification and parameter estimation can be addressed; and trends, seasonalities and multivariate fuzzy time series could also be modeled with ease. In addition, asymptotic behaviors of fuzzy time series can be inspected by means of characteristic equations.