Unifying results in CNN theory using delta operator

By means of the delta operator, a new type of CNN, the (/spl delta/,c)-CNN, is introduced. It is a superclass of continuous-time (CT) and discrete-time (DT) CNNs with any saturation-, high-gain-, or hardlimiting sign-nonlinearity. It is shown that the (/spl delta/,c)-CNN allows continuous transition between different types of nonlinearities and between CT- and DT-CNNs, providing a unifying framework for CNN theory. In particular, the problem of optimally robust template design can be dealt with in a unified manner.