165 research outputs found
Quantum adiabatic optimization and combinatorial landscapes
In this paper we analyze the performance of the Quantum Adiabatic Evolution
algorithm on a variant of Satisfiability problem for an ensemble of random
graphs parametrized by the ratio of clauses to variables, . We
introduce a set of macroscopic parameters (landscapes) and put forward an
ansatz of universality for random bit flips. We then formulate the problem of
finding the smallest eigenvalue and the excitation gap as a statistical
mechanics problem. We use the so-called annealing approximation with a
refinement that a finite set of macroscopic variables (versus only energy) is
used, and are able to show the existence of a dynamic threshold
starting with some value of K -- the number of variables in
each clause. Beyond dynamic threshold, the algorithm should take exponentially
long time to find a solution. We compare the results for extended and
simplified sets of landscapes and provide numerical evidence in support of our
universality ansatz. We have been able to map the ensemble of random graphs
onto another ensemble with fluctuations significantly reduced. This enabled us
to obtain tight upper bounds on satisfiability transition and to recompute the
dynamical transition using the extended set of landscapes.Comment: 41 pages, 10 figures; added a paragraph on paper's organization to
the introduction, fixed reference
Clustering of Local Optima in Combinatorial Fitness Landscapes
Using the recently proposed model of combinatorial landscapes: local optima
networks, we study the distribution of local optima in two classes of instances
of the quadratic assignment problem. Our results indicate that the two problem
instance classes give rise to very different configuration spaces. For the
so-called real-like class, the optima networks possess a clear modular
structure, while the networks belonging to the class of random uniform
instances are less well partitionable into clusters. We briefly discuss the
consequences of the findings for heuristically searching the corresponding
problem spaces.Comment: Learning and Intelligent OptimizatioN Conference (LION 5), Rome :
Italy (2011
Complex-network analysis of combinatorial spaces: The NK landscape case
We propose a network characterization of combinatorial fitness landscapes by
adapting the notion of inherent networks proposed for energy surfaces. We use
the well-known family of NK landscapes as an example. In our case the inherent
network is the graph whose vertices represent the local maxima in the
landscape, and the edges account for the transition probabilities between their
corresponding basins of attraction. We exhaustively extracted such networks on
representative NK landscape instances, and performed a statistical
characterization of their properties. We found that most of these network
properties are related to the search difficulty on the underlying NK landscapes
with varying values of K.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0810.3492,
arXiv:0810.348
Towards the Inferrence of Structural Similarity of Combinatorial Landscapes
One of the most common problem-solving heuristics is by analogy. For a given
problem, a solver can be viewed as a strategic walk on its fitness landscape.
Thus if a solver works for one problem instance, we expect it will also be
effective for other instances whose fitness landscapes essentially share
structural similarities with each other. However, due to the black-box nature
of combinatorial optimization, it is far from trivial to infer such similarity
in real-world scenarios. To bridge this gap, by using local optima network as a
proxy of fitness landscapes, this paper proposed to leverage graph data mining
techniques to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses to explore the
latent topological structural information embedded in those landscapes. By
conducting large-scale empirical experiments on three classic combinatorial
optimization problems, we gain concrete evidence to support the existence of
structural similarity between landscapes of the same classes within neighboring
dimensions. We also interrogated the relationship between landscapes of
different problem classes
Additional Dimensions to the Study of Funnels in Combinatorial Landscapes
The global structure of travelling salesman's fitness landscapes has recently revealed the presence of multiple `funnels'. This implies that local optima are organised into several clusters, so that a particular local optimum largely belongs to a particular funnel. Such a global structure can increase search difficulty, especially, when the global optimum is located in a deep, narrow funnel. Our study brings more precision (and dimensions) to the notion of funnels with a data-driven approach using Local Optima Networks and the Chained Lin-Kernighan heuristic. We start by exploring the funnel 'floors', characterising them using the notion of communities from complex networks. We then analyse the more complex funnel 'basins'. Since their depth is relevant to search, we visualise them in 3D. Our study, across a set of TSP instances, reveals a multi-funnel structure in most of them. However, the specific topology varies across instances and relates to search difficulty. Finally, including a stronger perturbation into Chained Lin-Kernighan proved to smooth the funnel structure, reducing the number of funnels and enlarging the valley leading to global optima
Saddles and Barrier in Landscapes of Generalized Search Operators
Barrier trees are a convenient way of representing the structure of complex combinatorial landscapes over graphs. Here we generalize the concept of barrier trees to landscapes defined over general multi-parent search operators based on a suitable notion of topological connectedness that depends explicitly on the search operator. We show that in the case of recombination spaces, path-connectedness coincides with connectedness as defined by the mutation operator alone. In contrast, topological connectedness is more general and depends on the details of the recombination operators as well. Barrier trees can be meaningfully defined for both concepts of connectedness
Comparing Communities of Optima with Funnels in Combinatorial Fitness Landscapes
The existence of sub-optimal funnels in combinatorial fitness landscapes has been linked to search difficulty. The exact nature of these structures — and how commonly they appear — is not yet fully understood. Improving our understanding of funnels could help with designing effective diversification mechanisms for a ‘smoothing’ effect, making optimisation easier. We model fitness landscapes as local optima networks. The relationship between communities of local optima found by network clustering algorithms and funnels is explored. Funnels are identified using the notion of monotonic sequences from the study of energy landscapes in theoretical chemistry. NK Landscapes and the Quadratic Assignment Problem are used as case studies. Our results show that communities are linked to funnels. The analysis exhibits relationships between these landscape structures and the performance of trajectory-based metaheuristics such as Simulated Annealing (SA) and Iterated Local Search (ILS). In particular, ILS gets trapped in funnels, and modular communities of optima slow it down. The funnels contribute to lower success for SA. We show that increasing the strength of ILS perturbation helps to ‘smooth’ the funnels and improves performance in multi-funnel landscapes.Authors listed as ECOM Trac
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