On an iterative procedure for solving a routing problem with constraints

The generalized precedence constrained traveling salesman problem is considered in the case when travel costs depend explicitly on the list of tasks that have not been performed (by the time of the travel). The original routing problem with dependent variables is represented in terms of an equivalent extremal problem with independent variables. An iterative method based on this representation is proposed for solving the original problem. The algorithm based on this method is implemented as a computer program. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

The routing problems with optimization of the starting point: Dynamic programming

The extreme routing problem focused on engineering applications in mechanical engineering is considered. We mean the well-known task of tool controlling in the CNC sheet cutting machines. A mathematical model is presented which includes a system of megalopolises (nonempty finite sets) and cost functions depending on the list of tasks. Megalopolises are constructed on the basis of discretization of equidistant curves of part contours. The dependence on the list of tasks is connected with reasons associated with the dynamic constraints that arise in the process of task completion. Among all restrictions, the conditions of precedence are distinguished (earlier cutting of the inner contours and more earlier cutting of large parts). Rational consideration of the precedence conditions allows one to reduce the complexity of calculations when widely understood dynamic programming (DP) is used in the implementation that develops R. Bellman’s scheme. This approach makes it possible to solve the problem of optimizing complexes, which include the initial state (starting point), the method of numbering megalopolises in the order of their visits, and the specific trajectory of the process. For a problem complicated by the dependence of the terminal function on the initial state, a decomposition algorithm is used, which allows, in a substantial part of the procedure, the application of a single (for all initial states) DP scheme. The optimal algorithm based on DP is implemented as a program for PC; a computational experiment is conducted. © 2019 A.G. Chentsov, P.A. Chentsov.Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR: 17–08–01385Funding. This research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (projects no. 17–08–01385)

ON ROUTING PROBLEM WITH STARTING POINT OPTIMIZATION

One problem focused on engineering applications is considered. It is assumed that sequential visits to megacities have been implemented. After all visits have been made, it is required to return to the starting point (a more complex dependence on the starting point is also considered). But the last requirement is not strict: some weakening of the return condition is acceptable. Under these assumptions, it is required to optimize the choice of starting point, route, and specific trajectory. The well-known dynamic programming (DP) is used for the solution. But when using DP, significant difficulties arise associated with the dependence of the terminal component of the criterion on the starting point. Starting point enumeration is required. We consider the possibility of reducing the enumeration associated with applied variants of universal (relative to the starting point) dynamic programming. Of course, this approach requires some transformation of the problem

Methods of extremal routing and their application to the control of sheet cutting on CNC machines

An extremal routing problem with constraints and complicated cost functions is considered. The investigated setting is oriented to application in engineering problems connected with sheet cutting on the machines with CNC. Nonstandard variant of dynamic programming is used for construction of an optimal solution including the starting point, the route (index permutation), and a concrete trajectory of the process. This procedure is implemented in the form of standard programs for a PC and a supercomputer. © 2019 Author(s)

OPTIMIZING THE STARTING POINT IN A PRECEDENCE CONSTRAINED ROUTING PROBLEM WITH COMPLICATED TRAVEL COST FUNCTIONS

We study the optimization of the initial state, route (a permutation of indices), and track in an extremal problem connected with visiting a finite system of megalopolises subject to precedence constraints where the travel cost functions may depend on the set of (pending) tasks. This problem statement is xemplified by the task to dismantle a system of radiating elements in case of emergency, such as the Chernobyl or Fukushima nuclear disasters. We propose a solution based on a parallel algorithm, which was implemented on the Uran supercomputer. It consists of a two-stage procedure: stage one determines the value (extremum) function over the set of all possible initial states and finds its minimum and also the point where it is achieved. This point is viewed as a base of the optimal process, which is constructed at stage two. Thus, optimization of the starting point for the route through megalopolises, connected with conducting certain internal tasks there, is an important element of the solution. To this end, we employ the apparatus of the broadly understood dynamic programming with elements of parallel structure during the construction of Bellman function layers

Constraints of asymptotic nature and attainability problems

In control problems, construction and investigation of attainability domains and their analogs are very important. This paper addresses attainability problems in topological spaces. Constraints of asymptotic nature defined in the form of nonempty families of sets are used. The solution of the corresponding attainability problem is defined as an attraction set. Points of this attraction set (attraction elements) are realized in the class of approximate solutions which are nonsequential analogs of the Warga approximate solutions. Some possibilities of applying compactifiers are discussed. Questions of the realization of attraction sets up to a given neighborhood are considered. Some topological properties of attraction sets are investigated. An example with an empty attraction set is considered. © 2019 Udmurt State University. All rights reserved.Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR: 19–01–00573Funding. Research was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project number 19–01–00573

On the question of the optimization of permutations in the problem with dynamic constraints

The “additive” problem of sequentially visiting megalopolises (nonempty finite sets) is considered; some tasks are executed as the megalopolises are visited. Permutations and operations are evaluated by cost functions that admit a dependence on the list of tasks. There are restrictions of different types, which include precedence conditions used in the “positive direction” (to reduce the complexity of calculations). In addition, this conception involves dynamical restrictions that are formed in the process of task execution. This conception is oriented to engineering applications associated with sheet cutting on CNC machines. An approach to constructing optimal solutions based on a nonstandard version of dynamic programming (DP) is investigated. This approach takes into account restrictions of different types, including dynamic constraints which naturally arise in sheet cutting applications (in particular, it takes into account heat tolerances related to diffusion of heat in the vicinities of tie-in points). In this regard, a combination of “direct” interdictions of movements and cutting and a system of penalties is allowed; in the latter case, cost functions with a dependence on the list of tasks arise. The variant of DP that is used allows one to optimize the selection of a starting point, the route, which is identified with a permutation of the indexes, and the trajectory corresponding to the above-mentioned route. An economical variant of DP is used at the stage of construction of the Bellman function. This conception allows avoiding calculation of the whole array of values of this function; instead, only the system of its layers is defined (in the case of using the precedence conditions, which are typical of the problem of sheet cutting, this conception results in a considerable reduction of calculation costs). An optimal DP-based algorithm is constructed and realized on PC, and the results of the computational experiment are presented. © 2019 Udmurt State University. All rights reserved.Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR: 18–01– 00410Funding. The research was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 18–01– 00410)

The programmed iterations method in a game problem of guidance

The solution of a differential game of guidance-evasion on the basis of the programmed iterations method is considered. The basic goal consists in the construction of a set of positional absorption corresponding to alternative partition following from the fundamental alternative theorem of N. N. Krasovskii and A. I. Subbotin. For construction, an operator of programmed absorption defined by the target set in a guidance problem is used. The set defining phase constraints is gradually transformed by the above-mentioned operator; therefore, the sequence for which the corresponding limit coincides with the set of positional absorption is realized. It is assumed that the target set is closed and the set defining phase constraints of initial problem has closed sections corresponding to fixation of time. Properties having the sense of one-sided continuity of the positional absorption set under variation of sets defining initial differential game are established. It is shown that the limit of iterated procedure coincides with the set of successful solvability in a class of set-valued generalized quasistrategies

Об одной задаче последовательного обхода множеств

The problem of sequential traversal of megapolises with precedence conditions is investigated; this problem is oriented to mechanical engineering — CNC metal cutting machines. There is the following setting singularity: the terminal component of additive criterion contains the dependence on the starting point. This singularity leads to the fact that the natural solution procedure based on dynamic programming must be applied individually for every starting point. The investigation goal consists in the construction of an optimizing algorithm for determining a complex including a route (a variant of megapolis numbering), a trajectory, and a starting point. The proposed algorithm realizes an idea of directed enumeration of starting points. This algorithm is realized as a program for PC; computations for model examples are made. © 2021 Udmurt State University. All rights reserved.The study was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project No. 20–08– 00873)