Minimising the number of gap-zeros in binary matrices

We study a problem of minimising the total number of zeros in the gaps between blocks of consecutive ones in the columns of a binary matrix by permuting its rows. The problem is referred to as the Consecutive Ones Matrix Augmentation Problem, and is known to be NP-hard. An analysis of the structure of an optimal solution allows us to focus on a restricted solution space, and to use an implicit representation for searching the space. We develop an exact solution algorithm, which is linear-time in the number of rows if the number of columns is constant, and two constructive heuristics to tackle instances with an arbitrary number of columns. The heuristics use a novel solution representation based upon row sequencing. In our computational study, all heuristic solutions are either optimal or close to an optimum. One of the heuristics is particularly effective, especially for problems with a large number of rows

Batch machine production with perishability time windows and limited batch size

This article provides a theoretical analysis of the problem of scheduling jobs in batches by family on a batch-processing machine, in the presence of perishability time windows of equal length. The problem arises in the context of production planning in a microbiological laboratory, and has application in wafer-fab production and for wireless broadcasting. The combined features of multiple families and time windows are new to the literature. The study is restricted to unit job processing times. We prove that the problem is NP-hard, thus solving an open problem by Uzsoy [24]. A Dynamic Programme is developed, with running time polynomial in the input variables of maximum batch size, the number of families and the length of the demand time horizon. In addition, we show that an heuristic approach to minimising the perishability time window can provide a 2-approximation to the optimum.Scheduling Batch production Broadcast scheduling Optimisation