Ant Colony Optimization
Ant Colony Optimization
Ant Colony Optimization
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k
i
N
Algorithm
When the arc (i,j) is traversed , the pheromone value changes
as follows:
By using this rule, the probability increases that forthcoming
ants will use this arc.
After each ant k has moved to the next node, the pheromones
evaporate by the following equation to all the arcs:
k
ij ij
t t t +A
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(1 ) , ( , )
ij ij
p i j A t t e
Steps for Solving a Problem by
ACO
1. Represent the problem in the form of sets of components
and transitions, or by a set of weighted graphs, on which
ants can build solutions
2. Define the meaning of the pheromone trails
3. Define the heuristic preference for the ant while constructing
a solution
4. If possible implement a efficient local search algorithm for
the problem to be solved.
5. Choose a specific ACO algorithm and apply to problem
being solved
6. Tune the parameter of the ACO algorithm.
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TSP example
A
D
C B
1
[]
4
[]
3
[]
2
[]
d
AB
=8;d
BC
= 4;d
CD
=15;d
DA
=6
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Iteration 1
A
D
C
B
1
[A]
3
[C]
2
[B]
4
[D]
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How to build next sub-solution?
1
[A]
A
D
C B
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Iteration 2
A
D
C
B
2
[B,C]
3
[C,D]
1
[A,B]
4
[D,A]
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Iteration 3
A
D
C
B
2
[B,C,D]
3
[B,C,A]
4
[D,A,B]
1
[A,B,C]
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Iteration 4
A
D
C
B
1
[A,B,C,D]
2
[B,C,D,A]
3
[C,D,A,B]
4
[D,A,B,C]
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Path and Pheromone Evaluation
1
[A,B,C,D
L
1
=27
L
2
=25
L
3
=29
L
4
=18
2
[B,C,D,A]
3
[C,D,A,B]
4
[D,A,B,C]
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Best tour
End of First Run
All ants die
New ants are born
Save Best Tour (Sequence and length)
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Advantages and Disadvantages
For TSPs (Traveling Salesman Problem), relatively efficient
for a small number of nodes, TSPs can be solved by
exhaustive search
for a large number of nodes, TSPs are very computationally
difficult to solve exponential time to convergence
Performs better against other global optimization techniques
such as neural net, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing
Can be used in dynamic applications (adapts to changes such
as new distances, etc.)
Convergence is guaranteed, but time to convergence uncertain
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Conclusion
Ant Colony Optimization is an efficient
approach of finding shortest path problems.
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References
Marco Dorigo, Mauro Birattari, Ant Colony
Optimization, IEEE, 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swarm_intelligen
ce
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_colony_opti
mization
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