scholarly journals A Methodology to Find the Elementary Landscape Decomposition of Combinatorial Optimization Problems

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Chicano ◽  
L. Darrell Whitley ◽  
Enrique Alba
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Objective Function ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Quadratic Assignment Problem ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problem ◽  
Quadratic Assignment ◽  
Neighborhood Structure ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Elementary Landscape

A small number of combinatorial optimization problems have search spaces that correspond to elementary landscapes, where the objective function f is an eigenfunction of the Laplacian that describes the neighborhood structure of the search space. Many problems are not elementary; however, the objective function of a combinatorial optimization problem can always be expressed as a superposition of multiple elementary landscapes if the underlying neighborhood used is symmetric. This paper presents theoretical results that provide the foundation for algebraic methods that can be used to decompose the objective function of an arbitrary combinatorial optimization problem into a sum of subfunctions, where each subfunction is an elementary landscape. Many steps of this process can be automated, and indeed a software tool could be developed that assists the researcher in finding a landscape decomposition. This methodology is then used to show that the subset sum problem is a superposition of two elementary landscapes, and to show that the quadratic assignment problem is a superposition of three elementary landscapes.

An Evaluation of Methods for Estimating the Number of Local Optima in Combinatorial Optimization Problems

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Hernando ◽  
Alexander Mendiburu ◽  
Jose A. Lozano
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problem ◽  
Local Search Algorithms ◽  
Neighborhood Structure ◽  
Local Optima ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Evaluation Of Methods

The solution of many combinatorial optimization problems is carried out by metaheuristics, which generally make use of local search algorithms. These algorithms use some kind of neighborhood structure over the search space. The performance of the algorithms strongly depends on the properties that the neighborhood imposes on the search space. One of these properties is the number of local optima. Given an instance of a combinatorial optimization problem and a neighborhood, the estimation of the number of local optima can help not only to measure the complexity of the instance, but also to choose the most convenient neighborhood to solve it. In this paper we review and evaluate several methods to estimate the number of local optima in combinatorial optimization problems. The methods reviewed not only come from the combinatorial optimization literature, but also from the statistical literature. A thorough evaluation in synthetic as well as real problems is given. We conclude by providing recommendations of methods for several scenarios.

Matched Field Processing Based on the Simulated Annealing

2013 ◽  
Vol 651 ◽  
pp. 879-884
Author(s):  
Qi Wang ◽  
Ying Min Wang ◽  
Yan Ni Gou
Keyword(s):  
Global Optimization ◽  
Simulated Annealing ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problem ◽  
Matched Field Processing ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Passive Localization

The matched field processing (MFP) for localization usually needs to match all the replica fields in the observation sea with the received fields, and then find the maximum peaks in the matched results, so how to find the maximum in the results effectively and quickly is a problem. As known the classical simulated annealing (CSA) which has the global optimization capability is used widely for combinatorial optimization problems. For passive localization the position of the source can be recognized as a combinatorial optimization problem about range and depth, so a new matched field processing based on CSA is proposed. In order to evaluate the performance of this method, the normal mode was used to calculate the replica field. Finally the algorithm was evaluated by the dataset in the Mediterranean Sea in 1994. Comparing to the conventional matched field passive localization (CMFP), it can be conclude that the new one can localize optimum peak successfully where the output power of CMFP is maximum, meanwhile it is faster than CMFP.

scholarly journals ITERATED TABU SEARCH: AN IMPROVEMENT TO STANDARD TABU SEARCH

2006 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonsas Misevicius ◽  
Antanas Lenkevicius ◽  
Dalius Rubliauskas
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Tabu Search ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Quadratic Assignment Problem ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Quadratic Assignment ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Diversification Mechanism ◽  
Iterated Tabu Search

The goal of this paper is to discuss the tabu search (TS) meta-heuristic and its enhancement for combinatorial optimization problems. Firstly, the issues related to the principles and specific features of the standard TS are concerned. Further, a promising extension to the classical tabu search scheme is introduced. The most important component of this extension is a special kind of diversification mechanism. We give the paradigm of this new improved TS strategy, which is called an iterated tabu search (ITS). ITS was applied to the difficult combinatorial optimization problems, the traveling salesman problem (TSP) and the quadratic assignment problem (QAP). The results of the experiments with the TSP and QAP show the high efficiency of the ITS strategy. The outstanding performance of ITS is also demonstrated by the fact that the new record-breaking solutions were found for the hard QAP instances - tai80a and tai100a.

scholarly journals Algorithms for exact solutions to combinatorial optimization problems

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Θεόδωρος Γκεβεζές
Keyword(s):  
Integer Programming ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Quadratic Assignment Problem ◽  
Quadratic Assignment ◽  
Search Procedure ◽  
Np Hard ◽  
Adaptive Search ◽  
Programming Formulation ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems

Το Shortest Superstring Problem (SSP) είναι ένα πρόβλημα συνδυαστικής βελτιστοποίησης που έχει προσελκύσει το ενδιαφέρων πολλών ερευνητών, λόγω των εφαρμογών του. Μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί σε προβλήματα Υπολογιστικής Μοριακής Βιολογίας όπως η αλληλούχιση του DNA και σε προβλήματα της επιστήμης υπολογιστών όπως η συμπίεση δεδομένων. Το SSP είναι ένα NP-hard πρόβλημα. Ένα άρθρο ανασκόπησης για το SSP παρουσιάζεται στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο της παρούσας διατριβής με έναν περιεκτικό και σαφή τρόπο, καλύπτοντας ολόκληρη τη σχετική βιβλιογραφία, αναδεικνύοντας την κατακτημένη γνώση και βοηθώντας στην μελλοντική έρευνα.Η μέθοδος GRASP (Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure) είναι μια επαναληπτική ευρετική μέθοδος για συνδυαστική βελτιστοποίηση. Η μέθοδος Path Relinking (PR) αποτελεί έναν τρόπο ενοποίησης των στρατηγικών εντατικοποίησης και διαφοροποίησης στην αναζήτηση για βέλτιστες λύσεις. Η PR στα πλαίσια του GRASP εισήχθη ως μηχανισμός μνήμης για την αξιοποίηση των δεδομένων από καλές λύσεις που έχουν ήδη βρεθεί. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο, παρουσιάζεται η υλοποίηση της μεθόδου GRASP με PR για το SSP. Η νέα μέθοδος λύνει στιγμιότυπα μεγάλης κλίμακας και υπερτερεί του φυσικού άπληστου αλγόριθμου στη συντριπτική πλειοψηφία των στιγμιοτύπων που δοκιμάστηκαν. Η προτεινόμενη μέθοδος είναι ικανή να παράγει πολλαπλές λύσεις κοντά στο βέλτιστο, γεγονός το οποίο είναι σημαντικό για την πρακτική της αλληλούχισης του DNA και επιτρέπει μια φυσική και εύκολη παράλληλη υλοποίηση. Ένα σύνολο αναφοράς στιγμιοτύπων με γνωστή βέλτιστη λύση κατασκευάστηκε χρησιμοποιώντας μια νέα Διατύπωση Ακέραιου Προγραμματισμού (Integer Programming Formulation) για το SSP.Η οικογένεια των γράφων επικάλυψης αποτελεί ένα κατάλληλο είδος δομής δεδομένων για την περίπτωση του SSP. Έχουν εφαρμογές στην αλληλούχιση γονιδιώματος, στην συμπίεση ακολουθιών και στον χρονοπρογραμματισμό μηχανών. Ένας κατευθυνόμενος γράφος με βάρη είναι γράφος επικάλυψης αν υπάρχει ένα σύνολο από ακολουθίες, οι οποίες βρίσκονται σε ένα προς ένα αντιστοιχία με τις κορυφές του γράφου, έτσι ώστε κάθε βάρος του γράφου να ισούται με την επικάλυψη μεταξύ των αντίστοιχων ακολουθιών. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο της παρούσας διατριβής, παρουσιάζεται ένα θεώρημα χαρακτηρισμού των γράφων επικάλυψης και ο αντίστοιχος αλγόριθμος αναγνώρισής τους.Το Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP) είναι ένα από τα δυσκολότερα προβλήματα συνδυαστικής βελτιστοποίησης. Το QAP είναι ένα NP-hard πρόβλημα, ενώ η εύρεση ενός ε-προσεγγιστικού αλγόριθμου για αυτό είναι επίσης δύσκολη. Ο κλασικός άπληστος αλγόριθμος για διακριτά προβλήματα βελτιστοποίησης όπου η βέλτιστη λύση είναι ένα μεγιστοτικό ανεξάρτητο υποσύνολο ενός πεπερασμένου συνόλου βάσης με στοιχεία με βάρη, μπορεί να οριστεί με δύο διαφορετικούς τρόπους που είναι δυϊκοί ο ένας προς το άλλο. Τον άπληστο-εισαγωγής (greedy-in) αλγόριθμο, όπου μια λύση κατασκευάζεται από ένα κενό σύνολο με την εισαγωγή του επόμενου καλύτερου στοιχείου, ενός κάθε φορά, μέχρι να προκύψει μια μη εφικτή λύση και τον άπληστο-εξαγωγής (greedy-out) αλγόριθμο, όπου ξεκινώντας από το σύνολο βάσης, διαγράφεται το επόμενο χειρότερο στοιχείο, ένα κάθε φορά, μέχρι να προκύψει κάποια εφικτή λύση. Έχει αποδειχτεί ότι ενώ ο πρώτος αλγόριθμος παρέχει έναν παράγοντα προσέγγισης για τα προβλήματα μεγιστοποίησης, η απόδοσή του στην χειρότερη περίπτωση δεν είναι φραγμένη για τα προβλήματα ελαχιστοποίησης και το αντίστροφο για τον δεύτερο αλγόριθμο. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο αυτής της διατριβής, παρουσιάζεται ο άπληστος-εξαγωγής αλγόριθμος για το QAP, αφότου αναπτύσσεται ένας συνδυαστικός χαρακτηρισμός των λύσεων του προβλήματος.

scholarly journals An Interactive Regret-Based Genetic Algorithm for Solving Multi-Objective Combinatorial Optimization Problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (03) ◽  
pp. 2335-2342
Author(s):  
Nawal Benabbou ◽  
Cassandre Leroy ◽  
Thibaut Lust
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Computation Time ◽  
Preference Elicitation ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problem ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems

We propose a new approach consisting in combining genetic algorithms and regret-based incremental preference elicitation for solving multi-objective combinatorial optimization problems with unknown preferences. For the purpose of elicitation, we assume that the decision maker's preferences can be represented by a parameterized scalarizing function but the parameters are initially not known. Instead, the parameter imprecision is progressively reduced by asking preference queries to the decision maker during the search to help identify the best solutions within a population. Our algorithm, called RIGA, can be applied to any multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem provided that the scalarizing function is linear in its parameters and that a (near-)optimal solution can be efficiently determined when preferences are known. Moreover, RIGA runs in polynomial time while asking no more than a polynomial number of queries. For the multi-objective traveling salesman problem, we provide numerical results showing its practical efficiency in terms of number of queries, computation time and gap to optimality.

Ant Foraging Behavior, Combinatorial Optimization, and Routing in Communications Networks

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Bonabeau ◽  
Marco Dorigo ◽  
Guy Theraulaz
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Assignment Problem ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Quadratic Assignment Problem ◽  
Quadratic Assignment ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Communications Networks ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Stochastic Time

This chapter is dedicated to the description of the collective foraging behavior of ants and to the discussion of several computational models inspired by that behavior—ant-based algorithms or ant colony optimization (AGO) algorithms. In the first part of the chapter, several examples of cooperative foraging in ants are described and modeled. In particular, in some species a colony self-organizes to find and exploit the food source that is closest to the nest. A set of conveniently defined artificial ants, the behavior of which is designed after that of their real counterparts, can be used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. A detailed introduction to ant-based algorithms is given by using the traveling salesman problem (TSP) as an application problem. Ant-based algorithms have been applied to other combinatorial optimization problems such as the quadratic assignment problem, graph coloring, job-shop scheduling, sequential ordering, and vehicle routing. Results obtained with ant-based algorithms are often as good as those obtained with other general-purpose heuristics. Application to the quadratic assignment problem is described in detail. Coupling ant-based algorithms with local optimizers obtains, in some cases, world-class results. Parallels are drawn between ant-based optimization algorithms and other nature-inspired optimization techniques, such as neural nets and evolutionary computation. All the combinatorial problems mentioned above are static, that is, their characteristics do not change over time. In the last part of the chapter, the application of ant-based algorithms to a class of stochastic time-varying problems is investigated: routing in telecommunications networks. Given the adaptive capabilities built into the ant-based algorithms, they may be more competitive in stochastic time-varying domains, in which solutions must be adapted online to changing conditions, than in static problems. The performance of AntNet, an ant-based algorithm designed to adaptively build routing tables in packet-switching communications networks, is the best of a number of state-of-the-art algorithms compared on an extensive set of experimental conditions. Many ant species have trail-laying trail-following behavior when foraging: individual ants deposit a chemical substance called pheromone as they move from a food source to their nest, and foragers follow such pheromone trails.

scholarly journals Smart Predict-and-Optimize for Hard Combinatorial Optimization Problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (02) ◽  
pp. 1603-1610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayanta Mandi ◽  
Emir Demirovi? ◽  
Peter J. Stuckey ◽  
Tias Guns
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Objective Function ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Scheduling Problems ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Linear Programming Problems

Combinatorial optimization assumes that all parameters of the optimization problem, e.g. the weights in the objective function, are fixed. Often, these weights are mere estimates and increasingly machine learning techniques are used to for their estimation. Recently, Smart Predict and Optimize (SPO) has been proposed for problems with a linear objective function over the predictions, more specifically linear programming problems. It takes the regret of the predictions on the linear problem into account, by repeatedly solving it during learning. We investigate the use of SPO to solve more realistic discrete optimization problems. The main challenge is the repeated solving of the optimization problem. To this end, we investigate ways to relax the problem as well as warm-starting the learning and the solving. Our results show that even for discrete problems it often suffices to train by solving the relaxation in the SPO loss. Furthermore, this approach outperforms the state-of-the-art approach of Wilder, Dilkina, and Tambe. We experiment with weighted knapsack problems as well as complex scheduling problems, and show for the first time that a predict-and-optimize approach can successfully be used on large-scale combinatorial optimization problems.

scholarly journals Review on the Methods to Solve Combinatorial Optimization Problems Particularly: Quadratic Assignment Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.20) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Asaad Shakir Hameed ◽  
Burhanuddin Mohd Aboobaider ◽  
Ngo Hea Choon ◽  
Modhi Lafta Mutar ◽  
Wassim Habib Bilal
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Assignment Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Quadratic Assignment Problem ◽  
Location Theory ◽  
Quadratic Assignment ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems ◽  
Assignment Model ◽  
Facilities Location ◽  
Basic Characteristics

The quadratic assignment problem (QAP) is one of the fundamental combinatorial optimization problem (COPs) in the branch of optimization or operation research in mathematics, from the category of the Facilities Location Problems (FLPs).  The quadratic assignment problem (QAP) be appropriate to the group of NP-hard issues and is measured as a challenging problem of the combinatorial optimization. QAP in Location Theory considers one of the problems of facilities tracing which the rate of locating a facility be determined by the spaces between facilities as well as the communication among the further facilities. QAP was presented in 1957 by Beckman and Koopmans as they were attempting to model a problem of facilities location. To survey the researcher’s works for QAP and applied, the mapped research landscape outlines literature into a logical classification and discovers this field basic characteristics represented on the motivation to use the quadratic assignment problem applied in hospital layout and campus planning. This survey achieved a concentrated each QAP article search in three key databases: Web of Science, Science Direct, and IEEE Xplore. Those databases are regarded extensive adequate in covering QAP and the methods utilized in solving QAP. 

scholarly journals The Color Mix Problem

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 7263
Author(s):  
Alfonsas Misevičius ◽  
Aleksandras Andrejevas ◽  
Armantas Ostreika ◽  
Tomas Blažauskas ◽  
Liudas Motiejūnas
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Search Algorithm ◽  
Quadratic Assignment Problem ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problem ◽  
Quadratic Assignment ◽  
Tabu Search Algorithm ◽  
Excellent Performance ◽  
Grey Pattern ◽  
Iterated Tabu Search

In this paper, we introduce a new combinatorial optimization problem entitled the color mix problem (CMP), which is a more general case of the grey pattern quadratic assignment problem (GP-QAP). Also, we propose an original hybrid genetic-iterated tabu search algorithm for heuristically solving the CMP. In addition, we present both analytical solutions and graphical visualizations of the obtained solutions, which clearly demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed heuristic algorithm.

Space Contraction and Partition Algorithm for Combinatorial Optimization

2011 ◽  
Vol 421 ◽  
pp. 559-563
Author(s):  
Yong Chao Gao ◽  
Li Mei Liu ◽  
Heng Qian ◽  
Ding Wang
Keyword(s):  
Combinatorial Optimization ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Optimal Solutions ◽  
Solution Quality ◽  
Intelligent Algorithms ◽  
Combinatorial Optimization Problems

The scale and complexity of search space are important factors deciding the solving difficulty of an optimization problem. The information of solution space may lead searching to optimal solutions. Based on this, an algorithm for combinatorial optimization is proposed. This algorithm makes use of the good solutions found by intelligent algorithms, contracts the search space and partitions it into one or several optimal regions by backbones of combinatorial optimization solutions. And optimization of small-scale problems is carried out in optimal regions. Statistical analysis is not necessary before or through the solving process in this algorithm, and solution information is used to estimate the landscape of search space, which enhances the speed of solving and solution quality. The algorithm breaks a new path for solving combinatorial optimization problems, and the results of experiments also testify its efficiency.

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