Deriving gradient algorithms for time-dependent neural network structures typically requires numerous chain rule expansions, diligent bookkeeping, and careful manipulation of terms. In this paper, we show how to derive such algorithms via a set of simple block diagram manipulation rules. The approach provides a common framework to derive popular algorithms including backpropagation and backpropagation-through-time without a single chain rule expansion. Additional examples are provided for a variety of complicated architectures to illustrate both the generality and the simplicity of the approach.

We show that signal flow graph theory provides a simple way to relate two popular algorithms used for adapting dynamic neural networks, real-time backpropagation and backpropagation-through-time. Starting with the flow graph for real-time backpropagation, we use a simple transposition to produce a second graph. The new graph is shown to be interreciprocal with the original and to correspond to the backpropagation-through-time algorithm. Interreciprocity provides a theoretical argument to verify that both flow graphs implement the same overall weight update.