Abstract: Acascade neural network with radial basis function(RBF) and linear basis function(LBF) is proposed, and an artificial olfactory system made up of fourteen of SnO₂model semiconductor sensors and a cascade neural-network classification method set up. Measure-ments and analyses for eight kinds of micro-and simple-methanol vapors as well as ethanol and acetone ones show that with the help of the presented method an artificial olfactory system has its performances such as sensitivity and discriminating ability greatly developed, that it is able to real time detect simple-component odors and multi-component ones. This development lays down a foundation for such a system to determine qualities of food fragrances.

Key words: Olfactory analogs, Cascade neural networks, Odor sensor array