FRK

A tool for spatial/spatio-temporal modelling and prediction with large datasets. The approach models the field, and hence the covariance function, using a set of basis functions. This fixed-rank basis-function representation facilitates the modelling of big data, and the method naturally allows for non-stationary, anisotropic covariance functions. Discretisation of the spatial domain into so-called basic areal units (BAUs) facilitates the use of observations with varying support (i.e., both point-referenced and areal supports, potentially simultaneously), and prediction over arbitrary user-specified regions. 'FRK' also supports inference over various manifolds, including the 2D plane and 3D sphere, and it provides helper functions to model, fit, predict, and plot with relative ease. Version 2.0.0 and above also supports the modelling of non-Gaussian data (e.g., Poisson, binomial, negative-binomial, gamma, and inverse-Gaussian) by employing a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) framework. Zammit-Mangion and Cressie doi:10.18637/jss.v098.i04 describe 'FRK' in a Gaussian setting, and detail its use of basis functions and BAUs, while Sainsbury-Dale, Zammit-Mangion, and Cressie doi:10.18637/jss.v108.i10 describe 'FRK' in a non-Gaussian setting; two vignettes are available that summarise these papers and provide additional examples.