Rank and Export Features in Diagnostic Feature Designer

Step 3 of 3 in Identify Condition Indicators for Predictive Maintenance Algorithm Design

This example shows how to rank features using several classification ranking techniques, how to compare the results, and how to export features from the app. If you want to follow along with the steps interactively, use the data you imported in Process Data and Explore Features in Diagnostic Feature Designer, and uses the feature set from that example. Use Open Session to reload your session data using the file name you provided.

When you generate features for classification, you seek the features that perform best at distinguishing among data of different conditions. When you view the histograms, you can get an idea of the relative effectiveness of your features. In this example, you use ranking algorithms to perform this feature comparison more rigorously. Once you have chosen the features you want to retain, you export these features into the MATLAB^® workspace.

Rank Features

Rank your features using the default T-Test technique. Click Rank Features. Select FeatureTable1.

Your selection brings up a ranked list of features, displayed as both a bar chart and a numerical table.

The bar chart legend shows that the initial ranking is performed using the T-Test algorithm. The chart is normalized to 1 to facilitate visual comparison. The table displays unnormalized ranking scores. Hover your mouse over a bar to get the full variable name.

Choose an Alternative Ranking Algorithm

Each ranking algorithm uses different criteria to perform the ranking. In the Feature Ranking tab, click Classification Ranking to bring up a menu that summarizes each method. From that menu, select Bhattacharyya.

A Bhattacharyya tab opens with ranking specifications that are standard for all of the techniques. Click Apply.

Apply updates the ranking display with the new results, displayed along with the original T-Test results.

The Bhattacharyya technique yields results that are similar to, but not identical to, the T-Test results. The highest ranking feature is PeakValue from the Signal Statistics set.

This feature was fourth in the T-test ranking. The crest factor features are still in the top three.

The ranking is still sorted by T-Test. Sort instead by Bhattacharyya. Close the Bhattacharyya tab and return to the Feature Ranking tab. Then select Bhattacharyya in the Sort by menu.

Delete a Set of Rankings

You have two sets of rankings. Now delete the Bhattacharyya results. In the Feature Ranking tab, select Delete Scores > Bhattacharyya.

Bhattacharyya disappears from the ranking results.

Export Features to the MATLAB Workspace

The final step in the Diagnostic Features Designer workflow is to export your features. In the Feature Ranking tab, select Export > Export features to the MATLAB workspace.

Select the features to export. The app preselects the top five features. Modify this selection. Clear the fifth selection and select the sixth feature using Ctrl-Click.

Your reduced feature table appears in your MATLAB workspace.

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