From Sparse to Dense Functional Data: Phase Transitions from a Simultaneous Inference Perspective

Abstract: We aim to develop simultaneous inference tools for the mean function of functional data from sparse to dense. First, we derive a unified Gaussian approximation to construct simultaneous confidence bands of mean functions based on the B-spline estimator. Then, we investigate the conditions of phase transitions by decomposing the asymptotic variance of the approximated Gaussian process. As an extension, we also consider the orthogonal series estimator and show the corresponding conditions of phase transitions. Extensive simulation results strongly corroborate the theoretical results, and also illustrate the variation of the asymptotic distribution via the asymptotic variance decomposition we obtain. The developed method is further applied to body fat data and traffic data.