Ensemble of Population-Based Metaheuristic Algorithms

No optimization algorithm can obtain satisfactory results in all optimization tasks.Thus,it is an effective way to deal with the problem by an ensemble ofmultiple algorithms.This paper proposes an ensemble of population-based metaheuristics(EPM)to solve single-objective optimization problems.The design of the EPM framework includes three stages:the initial stage,the update stage,and the final stage.The framework applies the transformation of the real and virtual population to balance the problem of exploration and exploitation at the population level and uses an elite strategy to communicate among virtual populations.The experiment tested two benchmark function sets with fivemetaheuristic algorithms and four ensemble algorithms.The ensemble algorithms are generally superior to the original algorithms by Friedman’s average ranking andWilcoxon signed ranking test results,demonstrating the ensemble framework’s effect.By solving the iterative curves of different test functions,we can see that the ensemble algorithms have faster iterative optimization speed and better optimization results.The ensemble algorithms cannot fall into local optimumby virtual populations distribution map of several stages.The ensemble framework performs well from the effects of solving two practical engineering problems.Some results of ensemble algorithms are superior to those of metaheuristic algorithms not included in the ensemble framework,further demonstrating the ensemble method’s potential and superiority.

A Review on Representative Swarm Intelligence Algorithms for Solving Optimization Problems:Applications and Trends

Swarm intelligence algorithms are a subset of the artificial intelligence(AI)field,which is increasing popularity in resolving different optimization problems and has been widely utilized in various applications.In the past decades,numerous swarm intelligence algorithms have been developed,including ant colony optimization(ACO),particle swarm optimization(PSO),artificial fish swarm(AFS),bacterial foraging optimization(BFO),and artificial bee colony(ABC).This review tries to review the most representative swarm intelligence algorithms in chronological order by highlighting the functions and strengths from 127 research literatures.It provides an overview of the various swarm intelligence algorithms and their advanced developments,and briefly provides the description of their successful applications in optimization problems of engineering fields.Finally,opinions and perspectives on the trends and prospects in this relatively new research domain are represented to support future developments.