A logistics scheduling model: Inventory cost reduction by batching

Logistics scheduling refers to the problems where the decisions of job scheduling and transportation are integrated in a single framework. In this paper, we discuss a logistics scheduling model where the raw material is delivered to the shop in batches. By making the batching and scheduling decisions simultaneously, the total inventory and batch setup cost can be reduced. We study different models on this issue, present complexity analysis and optimal algorithms, and conduct computational experiments. Some managerial insights are observed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005.     

Machine scheduling with pickup and delivery

The coordination of production, supply, and distribution is an important issue in logistics and operations management. This paper develops and analyzes a single‐machine scheduling model that incorporates the scheduling of jobs and the pickup and delivery arrangements of the materials and finished jobs. In this model, there is a capacitated pickup and delivery vehicle that travels between the machine and the storage area, and the objective is to minimize the makespan of the schedule. The problem is strongly NP‐hard in general but is solvable in polynomial time when the job processing sequence is predetermined. An efficient heuristic is developed for the general problem. The effectiveness of the heuristic is studied both analytically and computationally. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005.     

Non‐greedy heuristics and augmented neural networks for the open‐shop scheduling problem

In this paper we propose some non‐greedy heuristics and develop an Augmented‐Neural‐Network (AugNN) formulation for solving the classical open‐shop scheduling problem (OSSP). AugNN is a neural network based meta‐heuristic approach that allows integration of domain‐specific knowledge. The OSSP is framed as a neural network with multiple layers of jobs and machines. Input, output and activation functions are designed to enforce the problem constraints and embed known heuristics to generate a good feasible solution fast. Suitable learning strategies are applied to obtain better neighborhood solutions iteratively. The new heuristics and the AugNN formulation are tested on several benchmark problem instances in the literature and on some new problem instances generated in this study. The results are very competitive with other meta‐heuristic approaches, both in terms of solution quality and computational times. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005.     

改进的蚁群算法及其在卫星网络路由计算中的应用

介绍了蚁群算法的原理,然后对现有蚁群算法进行了一些改进,使它能够快速地收敛以满足高速变化的卫星网络拓扑结构.采用改进的虚拟拓扑策略解决了卫星网络拓扑高速变换的问题,将改进的蚁群算法应用于其上,并给出了相应的性能评估.所提出的改进的虚拟拓扑策略,能够大大减少一个系统周期内卫星网的时间片个数.应用于此基础上的改进的蚁群算法也体现了较好的性能.     

C2组织结构设计:平台-任务关系设计

以联合作战战役为例建立作战平台和任务模型,对C2(Command and Control)组织结构设计中平台-任务关系设计问题分析了传统多维动态列表规划算法(Multidimensional Dynamic List Scheduling,MDLS)在解决作战平台资源调度(平台-任务分配)问题的不足,提出了在平台-任务分配过程中采用任务选择平台组、平台选择任务以及两者选择冲突消除改进的MDLS算法,以解决MDLS算法的不足,并对不同方法的结果进行了比较.     

FBCB2系统的作战应用及未来发展

FBCB2是美国卫星导航、卫星通信、卫星遥感等航天系统与地面及空中通信系统、图像获取系统集成的一体化系统,是天、空、地系统综合应用的典范.介绍了FBCB2系统的性能特点及其在部队中的配备情况,在作战中的应用情况,就目前美国对FBCB2系统所进行的完善改进工作进行了分析.     

Relaxed sequencing games have a nonempty core

We study sequencing situations with a fixed initial order and linear cost functions. Cost savings can be obtained by rearranging jobs. Next to finding an optimal order, an additional issue is formed by the division of these savings. Cooperative game theory studies this issue. A common assumption states that cooperation between players is restricted to groups that are connected according to the initial order. The value of disconnected groups is defined additively over their connected components. In this paper we allow players in disconnected coalitions to switch places as long as they do not hurt the players not in the coalition under consideration. The resulting games are called relaxed sequencing games. Although they have been studied before, no general results on stable profit divisions have been derived so far. In this paper we prove that relaxed sequencing games have a nonempty core, i.e., they all have stable profit divisions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006     

Approximation algorithms for minimizing total weighted completion time of orders on identical machines in parallel

We consider the problem of scheduling orders on identical machines in parallel. Each order consists of one or more individual jobs. A job that belongs to an order can be processed by any one of the machines. Multiple machines can process the jobs of an order concurrently. No setup is required if a machine switches over from one job to another. Each order is released at time zero and has a positive weight. Preemptions are not allowed. The completion time of an order is the time at which all jobs of that order have been completed. The objective is to minimize the total weighted completion time of the orders. The problem is NP‐hard for any fixed number (≥2) of machines. Because of this, we focus our attention on two classes of heuristics, which we refer to as sequential two‐phase heuristics and dynamic two‐phase heuristics. We perform a worst case analysis as well as an empirical analysis of nine heuristics. Our analyses enable us to rank these heuristics according to their effectiveness, taking solution quality as well as running time into account. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006     

Maximizing project cash availability

Consider a project during the life cycle of which there are cash payouts and in‐flows. To better meet his financial commitments, the project owner would like to meet all deadlines without running out of cash. We show that the cash availability objective is similar to the total weighted flowtime used to measure work‐in‐progress performance in the scheduling and inventory control literatures. In this article we provide several specialized solution methods for the problem of minimizing total weighted flowtime in an arbitrary acyclic project network, subject to activity release times and due dates, where the activity weights may be positive or negative and represent cash in‐ and out‐flows. We describe the structure of an optimal solution and provide several efficient algorithms and their complexity based on mincost and maxflow formulations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006     

基于MDO方法的卫星集成设计系统分析与实现

为解决多学科设计优化方法中多学科设计、多学科分析、多学科优化过程与卫星总体设计流程集成的问题,采用变复杂度建模技术,并借鉴产品数据管理思想,设计并实现了面向总体设计的卫星集成设计软件系统。阐述了软件的设计思想、系统组成和功能特点,并给出了月球探测卫星概念设计问题的具体应用实例,结果表明软件在解决多学科设计优化方法应用于卫星集成设计问题时的可行性。