2,880 research outputs found
Towards the Design of Heuristics by Means of Self-Assembly
The current investigations on hyper-heuristics design have sprung up in two
different flavours: heuristics that choose heuristics and heuristics that
generate heuristics. In the latter, the goal is to develop a problem-domain
independent strategy to automatically generate a good performing heuristic for
the problem at hand. This can be done, for example, by automatically selecting
and combining different low-level heuristics into a problem specific and
effective strategy. Hyper-heuristics raise the level of generality on automated
problem solving by attempting to select and/or generate tailored heuristics for
the problem at hand. Some approaches like genetic programming have been
proposed for this. In this paper, we explore an elegant nature-inspired
alternative based on self-assembly construction processes, in which structures
emerge out of local interactions between autonomous components. This idea
arises from previous works in which computational models of self-assembly were
subject to evolutionary design in order to perform the automatic construction
of user-defined structures. Then, the aim of this paper is to present a novel
methodology for the automated design of heuristics by means of self-assembly
Design Of Perturbative Hyper-Heuristics For Combinatorial Optimisation
Combinatorial optimisation is an area which seeks to identify optimal solution(s) from a discrete solution search space. Approaches for solving combinatorial optimisation problems can be separated into two main sub-classes, i.e. exact and approximation algorithms. Exact algorithm is a sub-class of techniques that is able to guarantee global optimality. However, exact algorithms are not feasible for solving complex problem due to its high computational overhead. Approximation algorithm is a sub-class of techniques which is able to provide sub-optimal solution(s) with reasonable computational cost. In order to explore the solution search space of a combinatorial optimisation problem, an approximation algorithm performs perturbations on the existing solutions by adopting a single or multiple perturbative Low-Level Heuristic(s) (LLHs). The use of a single LLH leads to poor performance when the particular heuristic is incompetent in solving the problem. Thus, the use of multiple LLHs is more desirable as the weaknesses of one heuristic can be compensated by the strengths of another. When there are multiple LLHs, a hyper-heuristic can be integrated to determine the choice of heuristics for a particular problem or situation. Hyper-heuristic automates the selection of LLHs through a high-level heuristic that consists of two key components, i.e. a heuristic selection method and a move acceptance method. The capability of a high-level heuristic is highly problem dependent as the landscape properties of a problem are unique among others. The high-level heuristics in the existing hyper-heuristics are designed by manually matching different combinations of high-level heuristic components
Review of Metaheuristics and Generalized Evolutionary Walk Algorithm
Metaheuristic algorithms are often nature-inspired, and they are becoming
very powerful in solving global optimization problems. More than a dozen of
major metaheuristic algorithms have been developed over the last three decades,
and there exist even more variants and hybrid of metaheuristics. This paper
intends to provide an overview of nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms,
from a brief history to their applications. We try to analyze the main
components of these algorithms and how and why they works. Then, we intend to
provide a unified view of metaheuristics by proposing a generalized
evolutionary walk algorithm (GEWA). Finally, we discuss some of the important
open questions.Comment: 14 page
Random Neural Networks and Optimisation
In this thesis we introduce new models and learning algorithms for the Random
Neural Network (RNN), and we develop RNN-based and other approaches for the
solution of emergency management optimisation problems.
With respect to RNN developments, two novel supervised learning algorithms are
proposed. The first, is a gradient descent algorithm for an RNN extension model
that we have introduced, the RNN with synchronised interactions (RNNSI), which
was inspired from the synchronised firing activity observed in brain neural circuits.
The second algorithm is based on modelling the signal-flow equations in RNN as a
nonnegative least squares (NNLS) problem. NNLS is solved using a limited-memory
quasi-Newton algorithm specifically designed for the RNN case.
Regarding the investigation of emergency management optimisation problems,
we examine combinatorial assignment problems that require fast, distributed and
close to optimal solution, under information uncertainty. We consider three different
problems with the above characteristics associated with the assignment of
emergency units to incidents with injured civilians (AEUI), the assignment of assets
to tasks under execution uncertainty (ATAU), and the deployment of a robotic
network to establish communication with trapped civilians (DRNCTC).
AEUI is solved by training an RNN tool with instances of the optimisation problem
and then using the trained RNN for decision making; training is achieved using
the developed learning algorithms. For the solution of ATAU problem, we introduce
two different approaches. The first is based on mapping parameters of the
optimisation problem to RNN parameters, and the second on solving a sequence of
minimum cost flow problems on appropriately constructed networks with estimated
arc costs. For the exact solution of DRNCTC problem, we develop a mixed-integer
linear programming formulation, which is based on network flows. Finally, we design
and implement distributed heuristic algorithms for the deployment of robots
when the civilian locations are known or uncertain
A Classification of Hyper-heuristic Approaches
The current state of the art in hyper-heuristic research comprises a set of approaches that share the common goal of automating the design and adaptation of heuristic methods to solve hard computational search problems. The main goal is to produce more generally applicable search methodologies. In this chapter we present and overview of previous categorisations of hyper-heuristics and provide a unified classification and definition which captures the work that is being undertaken in this field. We distinguish between two main hyper-heuristic categories: heuristic selection and heuristic generation. Some representative examples of each category are discussed in detail. Our goal is to both clarify the main features of existing techniques and to suggest new directions for hyper-heuristic research
The General Combinatorial Optimization Problem: Towards Automated Algorithm Design
This paper defines a new combinatorial optimisation problem, namely General Combinatorial Optimisation Problem (GCOP), whose decision variables are a set of parametric algorithmic components, i.e. algorithm design decisions. The solutions of GCOP, i.e. compositions of algorithmic components, thus represent different generic search algorithms. The objective of GCOP is to find the optimal algorithmic compositions for solving the given optimisation problems. Solving the GCOP is thus equivalent to automatically designing the best algorithms for optimisation problems. Despite recent advances, the evolutionary computation and optimisation research communities are yet to embrace formal standards that underpin automated algorithm design. In this position paper, we establish GCOP as a new standard to define different search algorithms within one unified model. We demonstrate the new GCOP model to standardise various search algorithms as well as selection hyper-heuristics. A taxonomy is defined to distinguish several widely used terminologies in automated algorithm design, namely automated algorithm composition, configuration and selection. We would like to encourage a new line of exciting research directions addressing several challenging research issues including algorithm generality, algorithm reusability, and automated algorithm design
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