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Title: Learning Markov Models Via Low-Rank Optimization
Modeling unknown systems from data is a precursor of system optimization and sequential decision making. In this paper, we focus on learning a Markov model from a single trajectory of states. Suppose that the transition model has a small rank despite having a large state space, meaning that the system admits a low-dimensional latent structure. We show that one can estimate the full transition model accurately using a trajectory of length that is proportional to the total number of states. We propose two maximum-likelihood estimation methods: a convex approach with nuclear norm regularization and a nonconvex approach with rank constraint. We explicitly derive the statistical rates of both estimators in terms of the Kullback-Leiber divergence and the [Formula: see text] error and also establish a minimax lower bound to assess the tightness of these rates. For computing the nonconvex estimator, we develop a novel DC (difference of convex function) programming algorithm that starts with the convex M-estimator and then successively refines the solution till convergence. Empirical experiments demonstrate consistent superiority of the nonconvex estimator over the convex one.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2015366
NSF-PAR ID:
10331950
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Operations Research
ISSN:
0030-364X
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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