The present invention relates to a process for aiding the design of optimization algorithms incorporating a time limit. It is aimed at enhancing the framework of constraint programming through the introduction of an explicit temporal control into the search algorithms.
A constrained combinatorial optimization problem is defined by a set of decision variables taking values from among finite sets of values, by a set of constraints on the variables restricting the combinations of values permitted, and finally by a function, which is, for example, in the case of a minimization problem, a cost function (it would be a profit function in the case of a maximization problem). A solution to such a problem is an assignment of all the variables which satisfies all the constraints. An optimal solution corresponds to a solution having the smallest value of the cost function among the set of existing solutions. The solving of a combinatorial optimization problem consists in searching for the low-cost, if possible optimal solutions, or, as the case may be, in proving the absence of any solution.
A conventional example of a constrained combinatorial optimization problem is the problem of the coloring of a graph. A variable is associated with each vertex of the graph. The domain of values of the variables contains the available colors. A difference constraint connects each pair of variables whose vertices are linked by an edge. The cost function corresponds to the number of different colors used in the solution. The study of graph coloring problems serves in particular within the telecommunications sector, in respect of problems of allocating frequencies to radio links in an RF network. An analogy is made between colors and frequencies.
The complexity of the solving of combinatorial problems is often such that only the search for low-cost solutions is conceivable in a reasonable computation time.
A first observation related to complexity theory is that no efficient algorithm for searching for solutions exists which is generic, that is to say capable of efficiently solving all combinatorial problems. It is necessary to develop a specific algorithm for each class of problem. The performance of the algorithm depends mainly on the analysis of the problem and on the subtle use of the results of this analysis. For example, the result of the analysis may be a heuristic guiding the choice of values. In the case of coloring in, a simple heuristic consists in choosing first the color used most in the solution during construction. Likewise, the order of assignment of the vertices is important: to reduce the practical complexity of the search, it is necessary to begin with the vertices that are most connected to the vertices already assigned. From this observation it emerges that the design of search algorithms is a tricky task which requires dedicated tools. Constraint programming (CP) offers a technical framework for such tools.
Numerous optimization applications, in particular embedded real-time applications, have strict limits on the memory space and the computation time consumed as operational constraints. In general, the computation time limit pertains to all so-called on-line systems, that is to say those capable of reacting continuously to outside events. Such is the case for example with systems for rescheduling tasks subsequent to new requests or to events that modify the initial schedule.
A second observation is that the search algorithms existing in commercial CP tools (Ilog, Cosytec, etc.) do not explicitly incorporate the operational constraints cited above. It is up to the programmer of the algorithm to implement means to guarantee the memory and time limits. Moreover, he does not benefit from any aid for describing how his algorithm utilizes the time limit.
There are chiefly two classes of solution search algorithms: (i) global search methods and (ii) local search methods. The former use problem refinement mechanisms consisting in breaking a problem instance down into several independent subinstances (producing a decision tree) and in applying a filtering procedure that excludes partial assignments deemed to be unsatisfiable or suboptimal (constraints propagation procedure). The latter use mechanisms for transforming complete assignments (which do not necessarily comply with all the constraints). These two approaches may be combined: this gives the hybrid methods, consisting of several global and/or local searches.
In limited time, the global search performs a partial exploration of the tree. One then speaks of a partial search. Numerous algorithms have been published for exploring the tree intelligently. Mention may be made for example of the “Limited Discrepancy Search” algorithm [see reference No. 6 at the end of the description] which repeats a more and more complex search, beginning by exploring the nodes of the tree that are preferred by the value choice heuristic and then moving progressively away from these nodes. Another example is that of the “Realtime Heuristic Search” algorithm [see reference No. 8] which uses the time limit to adapt the depth of its forward search within an interleaved scheduling and execution context.
In the case of the local search, the latter adapts fairly easily to a time limit. Numerous parameters are involved in the adjustment of a local search. For example, the number of variables modified at each transformation. These parameters influence the performance of the algorithm as a function of time. Mention may be made of the simulated annealing algorithm [see reference No. 1], the convergence of whose scheme for decreasing the temperature can be adjusted so as to terminate as exactly as possible within the time allowed.
Finally the incorporation of time into a hybrid search involves apportioning the computational burden between the various global and local searches from which it is composed. The article “A Meta-Heuristic Factory for Vehicle Routing Problems (Meta-Programming for Meta-Heuristics)” [see reference No. 3] proposes the automatic construction of hybrid algorithms on the basis of a set of elementary search operators dedicated to the problems of vehicle rounds. Construction is done by a learning method based on a collection of instances and for a given computation time. The complexity of the hybrid algorithm generated is estimated. This makes it possible to keep only the combinations and the adjustments of operators which lead to an algorithm whose computation time sticks almost to the time limit.
Constraint programming (CP) offers a computer language for expressing constrained combinatorial optimization problems. It sharply separates the problem modeling phase, that is to say the description thereof in the form of variables and constraints, from the solutions search phase. Initially the CP tools placed the stress on the modeling phase by proposing a set of constraints having great expressibility. More recently, advances have been made with regard to the language aspect of the solutions search phase. The “Optimization Programming Language” (OPL) language from Ilog [see references No. 7 and No. 13) offers an advanced language dedicated to global and partial search methods. OPL possesses certain functionalities enabling a problem to be solved more efficiently in limited time: (i) strategies specifying an order of exploration and (ii) methods for limiting the complexity of a search.
Part of the research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is concerned with the more realistic incorporation of time constraints into real-time systems [see reference No. 12]. The “anytime” algorithms form part of this thrust. An “anytime” algorithm is an algorithm capable of returning a solution at any instant (for example before the end of the search time allowed), and which improves the quality of its solution over time. Typically, solutions search algorithms are “anytime” by nature if the assumption is made that it is possible to yield a first solution, possibly partial, at any instant. Work in this field is concerned with the temporal control of the algorithms employed in AI.
Three modes of temporal control of a search algorithm are distinguished depending on the type of time constraint:
In the interruptible mode, the time limit is unknown. The search will be interrupted while underway on request from outside.
The search algorithm must produce solutions of increasing quality over time. The performance of the algorithm is judged as a function of its curve of change of quality of the solutions. It is preferable for the quality to progress better at the start of a search than after.
In the autonomous mode, the time limit is unknown. It is the temporal control which determines the best instant to stop the search and yield a solution. This is the approach that is mainly studied for “anytime” algorithms [see reference No. 16].
The temporal control generally uses prior learning on the basis of experiments to carry out the selection and the adjustment of a search algorithm. [See reference No. 15] studies the temporal apportioning of a time limit among several components of a voice processing algorithm to optimize quality on output.
The present invention applies mainly to the contractual mode. It is possible to switch from the contractual mode to the interruptible mode [see for example reference No. 14].
Each global (or partial) search algorithm defines a decision tree exploration scheme. From each scheme it is possible to extract a temporal control procedure which is usually adapted to the interruptible mode (for example the “Limited Discrepancy Search” algorithm [see reference No. 6]) and more rarely to the contractual mode (for example the “Realtime Heuristic Search” algorithm [see reference No. 8]). The same is the case for local or hybrid search algorithms. However, the description of the temporal control is not based on established primitives that are generic for a set of temporal control procedures. The programmer is responsible for fully installing each temporal control.
Neither does CP contain such primitives for describing a temporal control procedure in contractual mode. There is no primitive in the existing CP systems which facilitates the expression of the relationship between a time limit and the selection and the adjustment of a search algorithm. Neither does the general framework of “anytime” algorithms specify how to formalize this relationship.
An object of the present invention is a process for aiding the design of optimization algorithms incorporating a time limit which provides a framework for more easily expressing a search algorithm and its temporal control, in particular in contractual mode, this process being able to extend the framework of constraint programming, and making it possible to more efficiently solve problems with a time limit.
The process according to the invention comprises the following functions:
According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustments of the limits consist in indicating the branches to be explored preferentially in the search tree.
According to another aspect of the invention, the adjustments of the limits are made according to one of the following three modes: frozen, progressive or adaptive.
Thus, according to the invention, the incorporation of the time limit into an algorithm is done through the adjusting of parameters dimensioning the complexity of its search.
The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a mode of implementation, taken by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the appended diagram in which:
FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams illustrating the main functions implemented by prior art processes, and
The various functions implemented by the procedure for aiding the design of algorithms according to the invention will be described with reference to
A set 2 of heuristics. This is an extendable set of predefined functions for ordering the choices in the construction of a solution. For example, heuristics for guiding the choice of values. A set of primitives makes it possible to create new heuristics from existing heuristics. For example, the reversal of the order of a heuristic or the combining of two heuristics: in case of equality in the comparing of two choices by the first heuristic then comparing according to the second heuristic. The relationship between model and heuristics corresponds to the examination by the heuristics of the state of the current domains of the variables and of the structure of the constraint net so as to evaluate a choice.
It should be noted that each component possesses a set of primitives facilitating the expression of a search algorithm incorporating a time limit. The TS and ES components make it possible to form the relationship between a time limit and the adjustment of a search algorithm. These characteristics are important characteristics of the invention (see
Represented in
In conclusion, the present invention makes it possible to:
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Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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01/15193 | Nov 2001 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/FR02/04017 | 11/22/2002 | WO |