Analysis of algorithms for two‐stage flowshops with multi‐processor task flexibility

In this article we introduce a 2‐machine flowshop with processing flexibility. Two processing modes are available for each task: namely, processing by the designated processor, and processing simultaneously by both processors. The objective studied is makespan minimization. This production environment is encountered in repetitive manufacturing shops equipped with processors that have the flexibility to execute orders either individually or in coordination. In the latter case, the product designer exploits processing synergies between two processors so as to execute a particular task much faster than a dedicated processor. This type of flowshop environment is also encountered in labor‐intensive assembly lines where products moving downstream can be processed either in the designated assembly stations or by pulling together the work teams of adjacent stations. This scheduling problem requires determining the mode of operation of each task, and the subsequent scheduling that preserves the flowshop constraints. We show that the problem is ordinary NP‐complete and obtain an optimal solution using a dynamic programming algorithm with considerable computational requirements for medium and large problems. Then, we present a number of dynamic programming relaxations and analyze their worst‐case error performance. Finally, we present a polynomial time heuristic with worst‐case error performance comparable to that of the dynamic programming relaxations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.     

An FPTAS for scheduling a two‐machine flowshop with one unavailability interval

We study a deterministic two‐machine flowshop scheduling problem with an assumption that one of the two machines is not available in a specified time period. This period can be due to a breakdown, preventive maintenance, or processing unfinished jobs from a previous planning horizon. The problem is known to be NP‐hard. Pseudopolynomial dynamic programming algorithms and heuristics with worst case error bounds are given in the literature to solve the problem. They are different for the cases when the unavailability interval is for the first or second machine. The existence of a fully polynomial time approximation scheme (FPTAS) was formulated as an open conjecture in the literature. In this paper, we show that the two cases of the problem under study are equivalent to similar partition type problems. Then we derive a generic FPTAS for the latter problems with O(n⁵/ε⁴) time complexity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.     

具有变时滞的离散型随机BAM神经网络的稳定性

研究一类具有变时滞的离散型随机BAM神经网络。通过构造Lyapunov泛函以及线性矩阵不等式（LMI）,得出了离散系统全局渐近稳定的充分条件。     

基于随机网络的平均维修保障服务时间分析

利用随机网络建模方法在随机工程项目分析中的优越性,建立了不同保障方式下的维修保障过程模型。重点对网络活动中的维修等待时间和维修等待概率进行了分析,利用随机网络的解析算法,确定了维修力量的平均维修保障服务时间分析模型。最后将该方法应用于伴随修理过程,对其平均维修保障服务时间进行了案例分析。     

Single machine scheduling with a restricted rate‐modifying activity

In this paper we consider the problem of scheduling a set of jobs on a single machine on which a rate‐modifying activity may be performed. The rate‐modifying activity is an activity that changes the production rate of the machine. So the processing time of a job is a variable, which depends on whether it is scheduled before or after the rate‐modifying activity. We assume that the rate‐modifying activity can take place only at certain predetermined time points, which is a constrained case of a similar problem discussed in the literature. The decisions under consideration are whether and when to schedule the rate‐modifying activity, and how to sequence the jobs in order to minimize some objectives. We study the problems of minimizing makespan and total completion time. We first analyze the computational complexity of both problems for most of the possible versions. The analysis shows that the problems are NP‐hard even for some special cases. Furthermore, for the NP‐hard cases of the makespan problem, we present a pseudo‐polynomial time optimal algorithm and a fully polynomial time approximation scheme. For the total completion time problem, we provide a pseudo‐polynomial time optimal algorithm for the case with agreeable modifying rates. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005     

Approximating nondominated sets in continuous multiobjective optimization problems

Many important problems in Operations Research and Statistics require the computation of nondominated (or Pareto or efficient) sets. This task may be currently undertaken efficiently for discrete sets of alternatives or for continuous sets under special and fairly tight structural conditions. Under more general continuous settings, parametric characterisations of the nondominated set, for example through convex combinations of the objective functions or ε‐constrained problems, or discretizations‐based approaches, pose several problems. In this paper, the lack of a general approach to approximate the nondominated set in continuous multiobjective problems is addressed. Our simulation‐based procedure only requires to sample from the set of alternatives and check whether an alternative dominates another. Stopping rules, efficient sampling schemes, and procedures to check for dominance are proposed. A continuous approximation to the nondominated set is obtained by fitting a surface through the points of a discrete approximation, using a local (robust) regression method. Other actions like clustering and projecting points onto the frontier are required in nonconvex feasible regions and nonconnected Pareto sets. In a sense, our method may be seen as an evolutionary algorithm with a variable population size. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005.     

A generalization of the weighted set covering problem

We study a generalization of the weighted set covering problem where every element needs to be covered multiple times. When no set contains more than two elements, we can solve the problem in polynomial time by solving a corresponding weighted perfect b‐matching problem. In general, we may use a polynomial‐time greedy heuristic similar to the one for the classical weighted set covering problem studied by D.S. Johnson [Approximation algorithms for combinatorial problems, J Comput Syst Sci 9 (1974), 256–278], L. Lovasz [On the ratio of optimal integral and fractional covers, Discrete Math 13 (1975), 383–390], and V. Chvatal [A greedy heuristic for the set‐covering problem, Math Oper Res 4(3) (1979), 233–235] to get an approximate solution for the problem. We find a worst‐case bound for the heuristic similar to that for the classical problem. In addition, we introduce a general type of probability distribution for the population of the problem instances and prove that the greedy heuristic is asymptotically optimal for instances drawn from such a distribution. We also conduct computational studies to compare solutions resulting from running the heuristic and from running the commercial integer programming solver CPLEX on problem instances drawn from a more specific type of distribution. The results clearly exemplify benefits of using the greedy heuristic when problem instances are large. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005     

Optimal power control in a wireless network using a model with stochastic link coefficients

This paper addresses optimal power allocation in a wireless communication network under uncertainty. The paper introduces a framework for optimal transmit power allocation in a wireless network where both the useful and interference coefficients are random. The new approach to power control is based on a stochastic programming formulation with probabilistic SIR constraints. This allows to state the power allocation problem as a convex optimization problem assuming normally or log‐normally distributed communication link coefficients. Numerical examples illustrate the performance of the optimal stochastic power allocation. A distributed algorithm for the decentralized solution of the stochastic power allocation problem is discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005     

编队协同反导决策方案优选

为了充分地调度好编队全部的抗导资源,实现抗导弹群的成功概率最大,在利用随机服务系统理论对编队协同反导决策方案各指标值进行计算的基础上,将"模糊优选理论"与"协同学原理"有机地结合起来,求解了在反舰导弹到达强度与舰空导弹的单发杀伤概率在不同值的情况下,编队协同反导决策方案的隶属度,为编队指挥员进行反导决策方案的优选提供了科学依据。     

随机共振技术在微弱舰船轴频电场信号检测中的应用

针对在强背景噪声中检测微弱舰船轴频电场信号的问题,提出了基于随机共振技术的检测方法.首先,介绍了随机共振利用噪声增强信号能量从而提高信噪比的基本原理,并在此基础上给出了利用随机共振检测微弱周期信号的模型.然后,将低信噪比的船模轴频电场测量数据输入到检测模型并对输出信号作功率谱分析,结果表明:随机共振技术能十分有效地从复杂背景噪声中检测出微弱舰船轴频电场信号,在微弱信号处理领域相比传统方法具有很大的优势.最后,结合检测实例,初步分析了系统参数对随机共振系统输出信号频谱分布的影响,为随机共振技术的进一步工程应用打下了良好的基础.