A Generalization of the Noisy-Or Model

TL;DR

This paper extends the Noisy-Or model to handle multi-valued variables and arbitrary functions, enhancing its applicability in Bayesian network modeling for complex systems.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized Noisy-Or model for n-ary variables and functions beyond Boolean OR, broadening its use in Bayesian network construction.

Findings

Applicable to digital circuit diagnosis

Useful for network reliability analysis

Facilitates modeling of complex uncertain relationships

Abstract

The Noisy-Or model is convenient for describing a class of uncertain relationships in Bayesian networks [Pearl 1988]. Pearl describes the Noisy-Or model for Boolean variables. Here we generalize the model to nary input and output variables and to arbitrary functions other than the Boolean OR function. This generalization is a useful modeling aid for construction of Bayesian networks. We illustrate with some examples including digital circuit diagnosis and network reliability analysis.