An Improved Image Steganography Security and Capacity Using Ant Colony Algorithm Optimization

This advanced paper presents a new approach to improving image steganography using the Ant Colony Optimization(ACO)algorithm.Image steganography,a technique of embedding hidden information in digital photographs,should ideally achieve the dual purposes of maximum data hiding and maintenance of the integrity of the cover media so that it is least suspect.The contemporary methods of steganography are at best a compromise between these two.In this paper,we present our approach,entitled Ant Colony Optimization(ACO)-Least Significant Bit(LSB),which attempts to optimize the capacity in steganographic embedding.The approach makes use of a grayscale cover image to hide the confidential data with an additional bit pair per byte,both for integrity verification and the file checksumof the secret data.This approach encodes confidential information into four pairs of bits and embeds it within uncompressed grayscale images.The ACO algorithm uses adaptive exploration to select some pixels,maximizing the capacity of data embedding whileminimizing the degradation of visual quality.Pheromone evaporation is introduced through iterations to avoid stagnation in solution refinement.The levels of pheromone are modified to reinforce successful pixel choices.Experimental results obtained through the ACO-LSB method reveal that it clearly improves image steganography capabilities by providing an increase of up to 30%in the embedding capacity compared with traditional approaches;the average Peak Signal to Noise Ratio(PSNR)is 40.5 dB with a Structural Index Similarity(SSIM)of 0.98.The approach also demonstrates very high resistance to detection,cutting down the rate by 20%.Implemented in MATLAB R2023a,the model was tested against one thousand publicly available grayscale images,thus providing robust evidence of its effectiveness.

An Effective Optimization Algorithm for Ant Colony Vehicular Congestion Management

Adaptability and dynamicity are special properties of social insects derived from the decentralized behavior of the insects. Authors have come up with designs for software solution that can regulate traffic congestion in a network transportation environment. The effectiveness of various researches on traffic management has been verified through appropriate metrics. Most of the traffic management systems are centered on using sensors, visual monitoring and neural networks to check for available parking space with the aim of informing drivers beforehand to prevent traffic congestion. There has been limited research on solving ongoing traffic congestion in congestion prone areas like car park with any of the common methods mentioned. This study focus however is on a motor park, as a highly congested area when it comes to traffic. The car park has two entrance gate and three exit gates which is divided into three Isle of parking lot where cars can park. An ant colony optimization algorithm (ACO) was developed as an effective management system for controlling navigation and vehicular traffic congestion problems when cars exit a motor park. The ACO based on the nature and movement of the natural ants, simulates the movement of cars out of the car park through their nearest choice exit. A car park simulation was also used for the mathematical computation of the pheromone. The system was implemented using SIMD because of its dual parallelization ability. The result showed about 95% increase on the number of vehicles that left the motor park in one second. A clear indication that pheromones are large determinants of the shortest route to take as cars followed the closest exit to them. Future researchers may consider monitoring a centralized tally system for cars coming into the park through a censored gate being.

A novel speech emotion recognition algorithm based on combination of emotion data field and ant colony search strategy

In order to effectively conduct emotion recognition from spontaneous, non-prototypical and unsegmented speech so as to create a more natural human-machine interaction; a novel speech emotion recognition algorithm based on the combination of the emotional data field （EDF） and the ant colony search （ACS） strategy, called the EDF-ACS algorithm, is proposed. More specifically, the inter- relationship among the turn-based acoustic feature vectors of different labels are established by using the potential function in the EDF. To perform the spontaneous speech emotion recognition, the artificial colony is used to mimic the turn- based acoustic feature vectors. Then, the canonical ACS strategy is used to investigate the movement direction of each artificial ant in the EDF, which is regarded as the emotional label of the corresponding turn-based acoustic feature vector. The proposed EDF-ACS algorithm is evaluated on the continueous audio）＇visual emotion challenge （AVEC） 2012 dataset, which contains the spontaneous, non-prototypical and unsegmented speech emotion data. The experimental results show that the proposed EDF-ACS algorithm outperforms the existing state-of-the-art algorithm in turn-based speech emotion recognition.

Feature Extraction of Stored-grain Insects Based on Ant Colony Optimization and Support Vector Machine Algorithm

[Objective] The aim was to study the feature extraction of stored-grain insects based on ant colony optimization and support vector machine algorithm, and to explore the feasibility of the feature extraction of stored-grain insects. [Method] Through the analysis of feature extraction in the image recognition of the stored-grain insects, the recognition accuracy of the cross-validation training model in support vector machine （SVM） algorithm was taken as an important factor of the evaluation principle of feature extraction of stored-grain insects. The ant colony optimization （ACO） algorithm was applied to the automatic feature extraction of stored-grain insects. [Result] The algorithm extracted the optimal feature subspace of seven features from the 17 morphological features, including area and perimeter. The ninety image samples of the stored-grain insects were automatically recognized by the optimized SVM classifier, and the recognition accuracy was over 95%. [Conclusion] The experiment shows that the application of ant colony optimization to the feature extraction of grain insects is practical and feasible.

C-means-based ant colony algorithm for TSP

To solve the traveling salesman problem with the characteristics of clustering,a novel hybrid algorithm,the ant colony algorithm combined with the C-means algorithm,is presented.In order to improve the speed of convergence,the traveling salesman problem(TSP)data is specially clustered by the C-means algorithm,then,the result is processed by the ant colony algorithm to solve the problem.The proposed algorithm treats the C-means algorithm as a new search operator and adopts a kind of local searching strategy—2-opt,so as to improve the searching performance.Given the cluster number,the algorithm can obtain the preferable solving result.Compared with the three other algorithms—the ant colony algorithm,the genetic algorithm and the simulated annealing algorithm,the proposed algorithm can make the results converge to the global optimum faster and it has higher accuracy.The algorithm can also be extended to solve other correlative clustering combination optimization problems.Experimental results indicate the validity of the proposed algorithm.

Improved ant colony optimization algorithm for the traveling salesman problems

Ant colony optimization （ACO） is a new heuristic algo- rithm which has been proven a successful technique and applied to a number of combinatorial optimization problems. The traveling salesman problem （TSP） is among the most important combinato- rial problems. An ACO algorithm based on scout characteristic is proposed for solving the stagnation behavior and premature con- vergence problem of the basic ACO algorithm on TSP. The main idea is to partition artificial ants into two groups： scout ants and common ants. The common ants work according to the search manner of basic ant colony algorithm, but scout ants have some differences from common ants, they calculate each route＇s muta- tion probability of the current optimal solution using path evaluation model and search around the optimal solution according to the mutation probability. Simulation on TSP shows that the improved algorithm has high efficiency and robustness.

Algorithm for Low Altitude Penetration Aircraft Path Planning with Improved Ant Colony Algorithm

The ant colony algorithm is a new class of population basic algorithm. The path planning is realized by the use of ant colony algorithm when the plane executes the low altitude penetration, which provides a new method for the path planning. In the paper the traditional ant colony algorithm is improved, and measures of keeping optimization, adaptively selecting and adaptively adjusting are applied, by which better path at higher convergence speed can be found. Finally the algorithm is implemented with computer simulation and preferable results are obtained.

Weapon target assignment problem satisfying expected damage probabilities based on ant colony algorithm

A weapon target assignment （WTA） model satisfying expected damage probabilities with an ant colony algorithm is proposed. In order to save armament resource and attack the targets effectively, the strategy of the weapon assignment is that the target with greater threat degree has higher priority to be intercepted. The effect of this WTA model is not maximizing the damage probability but satisfying the whole assignment result. Ant colony algorithm has been successfully used in many fields, especially in combination optimization. The ant colony algorithm for this WTA problem is described by analyzing path selection, pheromone update, and tabu table update. The effectiveness of the model and the algorithm is demonstrated with an example.

Novel Approach to Nonlinear PID Parameter Optimization Using Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm

This paper presents an application of an Ant Colony Optimization （ACO） algorithm to optimize the parameters in the design of a type of nonlinear PID controller. The ACO algorithm is a novel heuristic bionic algorithm, which is based on the behaviour of real ants in nature searching for food. In order to optimize the parameters of the nonlinear PID controller using ACO algorithm, an objective function based on position tracing error was constructed, and elitist strategy was adopted in the improved ACO algorithm. Detailed simulation steps are presented. This nonlinear PID controller using the ACO algorithm has high precision of control and quick response.

Ant colony optimization algorithm and its application to Neuro-Fuzzy controller design

An adaptive ant colony algorithm is proposed based on dynamically adjusting the strategy of updating trail information. The algorithm can keep good balance between accelerating convergence and averting precocity and stagnation. The results of function optimization show that the algorithm has good searching ability and high convergence speed. The algorithm is employed to design a neuro-fuzzy controller for real-time control of an inverted pendulum. In order to avoid the combinatorial explosion of fuzzy rules due tσ multivariable inputs, a state variable synthesis scheme is employed to reduce the number of fuzzy rules greatly. The simulation results show that the designed controller can control the inverted pendulum successfully.

Optimization of Air Route Network Nodes to Avoid ″Three Areas″ Based on An Adaptive Ant Colony Algorithm

Air route network(ARN)planning is an efficient way to alleviate civil aviation flight delays caused by increasing development and pressure for safe operation.Here,the ARN shortest path was taken as the objective function,and an air route network node(ARNN)optimization model was developed to circumvent the restrictions imposed by″three areas″,also known as prohibited areas,restricted areas,and dangerous areas(PRDs),by creating agrid environment.And finally the objective function was solved by means of an adaptive ant colony algorithm(AACA).The A593,A470,B221,and G204 air routes in the busy ZSHA flight information region,where the airspace includes areas with different levels of PRDs,were taken as an example.Based on current flight patterns,a layout optimization of the ARNN was computed using this model and algorithm and successfully avoided PRDs.The optimized result reduced the total length of routes by 2.14% and the total cost by 9.875%.

An adaptive ant colony system algorithm for continuous-space optimization problems

Ant colony algorithms comprise a novel category of evolutionary computation methods for optimization problems, especially for sequencing-type combinatorial optimization problems. An adaptive ant colony algorithm is proposed in this paper to tackle continuous-space optimization problems, using a new objective-function-based heuristic pheromone assignment approach for pheromone update to filtrate solution candidates.Global optimal solutions can be reached more rapidly by self-adjusting the path searching behaviors of the ants according to objective values. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with a basic ant colony algorithm and a Square Quadratic Programming approach in solving two benchmark problems with multiple extremes. The results indicated that the efficiency and reliability of the proposed algorithm were greatly improved.

Improved Ant Colony-Genetic Algorithm for Information Transmission Path Optimization in Remanufacturing Service System

The information transmission path optimization(ITPO) can often a ect the e ciency and accuracy of remanufactur?ing service. However, there is a greater degree of uncertainty and complexity in information transmission of remanu?facturing service system, which leads to a critical need for designing planning models to deal with this added uncer?tainty and complexity. In this paper, a three?dimensional(3D) model of remanufacturing service information network for information transmission is developed, which combines the physic coordinate and the transmitted properties of all the devices in the remanufacturing service system. In order to solve the basic ITPO in the 3D model, an improved 3D ant colony algorithm(Improved AC) was put forward. Moreover, to further improve the operation e ciency of the algorithm, an improved ant colony?genetic algorithm(AC?GA) that combines the improved AC and genetic algorithm was developed. In addition, by taking the transmission of remanufacturing service demand information of certain roller as example, the e ectiveness of AC?GA algorithm was analyzed and compared with that of improved AC, and the results demonstrated that AC?GA algorithm was superior to AC algorithm in aspects of information transmission delay, information transmission cost, and rate of information loss.

Ant colony ATTA clustering algorithm of rock mass structural plane in groups

Based on structural surface normal vector spherical distance and the pole stereographic projection Euclidean distance,two distance functions were established.The cluster analysis of structure surface was conducted by the use of ATTA clustering methods based on ant colony piles,and Silhouette index was introduced to evaluate the clustering effect.The clustering analysis of the measured data of Sanshandao Gold Mine shows that ant colony ATTA-based clustering method does better than K-mean clustering analysis.Meanwhile,clustering results of ATTA method based on pole Euclidean distance and ATTA method based on normal vector spherical distance have a great consistence.The clustering results are most close to the pole isopycnic graph.It can efficiently realize grouping of structural plane and determination of the dominant structural surface direction.It is made up for the defects of subjectivity and inaccuracy in icon measurement approach and has great engineering value.

Improved Multi-objective Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm and Its Application in Complex Reasoning

The problem of fault reasoning has aroused great concern in scientific and engineering fields.However,fault investigation and reasoning of complex system is not a simple reasoning decision-making problem.It has become a typical multi-constraint and multi-objective reticulate optimization decision-making problem under many influencing factors and constraints.So far,little research has been carried out in this field.This paper transforms the fault reasoning problem of complex system into a paths-searching problem starting from known symptoms to fault causes.Three optimization objectives are considered simultaneously: maximum probability of average fault,maximum average importance,and minimum average complexity of test.Under the constraints of both known symptoms and the causal relationship among different components,a multi-objective optimization mathematical model is set up,taking minimizing cost of fault reasoning as the target function.Since the problem is non-deterministic polynomial-hard(NP-hard),a modified multi-objective ant colony algorithm is proposed,in which a reachability matrix is set up to constrain the feasible search nodes of the ants and a new pseudo-random-proportional rule and a pheromone adjustment mechinism are constructed to balance conflicts between the optimization objectives.At last,a Pareto optimal set is acquired.Evaluation functions based on validity and tendency of reasoning paths are defined to optimize noninferior set,through which the final fault causes can be identified according to decision-making demands,thus realize fault reasoning of the multi-constraint and multi-objective complex system.Reasoning results demonstrate that the improved multi-objective ant colony optimization(IMACO) can realize reasoning and locating fault positions precisely by solving the multi-objective fault diagnosis model,which provides a new method to solve the problem of multi-constraint and multi-objective fault diagnosis and reasoning of complex system.

An effective multi-level algorithm based on ant colony optimization for graph bipartitioning

Partitioning is a fundamental problem with applications to many areas including data mining, parellel processing and Very-large-scale integration （VLSI） design. An effective multi-level algorithm for bisecting graph is proposed. During its coarsening phase, an improved matching approach based on the global information of the graph core is developed with its guidance function. During the refinement phase, the vertex gain is exploited as ant＇s heuristic information and a positive feedback method based on pheromone trails is used to find the global approximate bipartitioning. It is implemented with American National Standards Institute （ANSI） C and compared to MeTiS. The experimental evaluation shows that it performs well and produces encouraging solutions on 18 different graphs benchmarks.

Two-Dimension Path Planning Method Based on Improved Ant Colony Algorithm

Nowadays, path planning has become an important field of research focus. Considering that the ant colony algorithm has numerous advantages such as the distributed computing and the characteristics of heuristic search, how to combine the algorithm with two-dimension path planning effectively is much important. In this paper, an improved ant colony algorithm is used in resolving this path planning problem, which can improve convergence rate by using this improved algorithm. MAKLINK graph is adopted to establish the two-dimensional space model at first, after that the Dijkstra algorithm is selected as the initial planning algorithm to get an initial path, immediately following, optimizing the select parameters relating on the ant colony algorithm and its improved algorithm. After making the initial parameter, the authors plan out an optimal path from start to finish in a known environment through ant colony algorithm and its improved algorithm. Finally, Matlab is applied as software tool for coding and simulation validation. Numerical experiments show that the improved algorithm can play a more appropriate path planning than the origin algorithm in the completely observable.

Ant Colony Algorithm for Solving QoS Routing Problem

Based on the state transition rule, the local updating rule and the global updating rule of ant colony algorithm, we propose an improved ant colony algorithm of the least\|cost quality of service (QoS) unicast routing. The algorithm is used for solving the routing problem with delay, delay jitter, bandwidth, and packet loss\|constrained. In the simulation, about 52.33% ants find the successful QoS routing , and converge to the best. It is proved that the algorithm is efficient and effective.

Spatial quality evaluation for drinking water based on GIS and ant colony clustering algorithm

To develop a better approach for spatial evaluation of drinking water quality, an intelligent evaluation method integrating a geographical information system(GIS) and an ant colony clustering algorithm(ACCA) was used. Drinking water samples from 29 wells in Zhenping County, China, were collected and analyzed. 35 parameters on water quality were selected, such as chloride concentration, sulphate concentration, total hardness, nitrate concentration, fluoride concentration, turbidity, pH, chromium concentration, COD, bacterium amount, total coliforms and color. The best spatial interpolation methods for the 35 parameters were found and selected from all types of interpolation methods in GIS environment according to the minimum cross-validation errors. The ACCA was improved through three strategies, namely mixed distance function, average similitude degree and probability conversion functions. Then, the ACCA was carried out to obtain different water quality grades in the GIS environment. In the end, the result from the ACCA was compared with those from the competitive Hopfield neural network(CHNN) to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the ACCA according to three evaluation indexes, which are stochastic sampling method, pixel amount and convergence speed. It is shown that the spatial water quality grades obtained from the ACCA were more effective, accurate and intelligent than those obtained from the CHNN.

Automatic teaching of stereovision-guided welding robot using ant colony optimization algorithm

A binocular stereovision system with a linear laser emitter is developed to detect seam position and its orientation, employing acquired 3-dimensional seam data, the automatic teaching of welding robot is implemented using a controlling strategy based on ant colony optimization（ ACO ） algorithm, in which the angle increment of robot joint is discretized as the nodes of ACO graph and a corresponding pheromone updating strategy is presented. The experimental results for curvilinear seams and saddle-shaped seams show that the automatic teaching of welding robot can be successfully completed using the ACO-based controlling strategy under the guidance of stereovision, and the welding trajectory generated by the proposed method has higher accuracy and less setting time compared with conventional proportional-integral-differential （PID） controller and fuzzy controller.