分布式约束优化方法研究进展

多agent系统作为分布式人工智能研究领域的重要分支,已被广泛应用于多个领域中复杂系统的建模.而分布式约束优化作为一种多agent系统求解的关键技术,已成为约束推理研究的热点.首先对其适用性进行分析,并基于对已有算法的研究,总结出采用该方法解决问题的基本流程,在此基础上,从解的质量保证、求解策略等角度对算法进行了完整的分类;其次,根据算法分类结果以及执行机制,对大量经典以及近年来的分布式约束优化算法进行了深入分析,并从通信、求解质量、求解效率等方面对典型算法进行了实验对比;最后,结合分布式约束优化技术的求解优势给出了分布式约束优化问题的实际应用特征,总结了目前存在的一些问题,并对下一步工作进行了展望.     

低约束密度分布式约束优化问题的求解算法

多Agent协作过程中的许多挑战都可以建模为分布式约束优化问题.针对低约束密度的分布式约束优化问题,提出了一种基于贪婪和回跳思想的求解算法.在该算法中,各Agent基于贪婪原则进行决策,能够利用低约束密度问题中大量赋值组合代价为0这一特点来加快求解速度.同时,Agent间的回跳机制可以在贪婪原则陷入局部最优时保证算法的完全性.相对于已有主流算法,该算法可以在保持多项式级别的消息长度/空间复杂度的前提下,以较少的消息数目求解低约束密度的分布式约束优化问题.给出了算法关键机制的正确性证明,并通过实验验证了算法的上述性能优势.     

自组织分治求解分布式约束优化问题

分布式约束优化问题(DCOP)是在大规模、开放、动态网络环境中的优化问题,在计算网格、多媒体网络、电子商务、企业资源规划等领域中都有广泛应用.除了具有传统优化问题的非线性、约束性等特点,DCOP还具有动态演化、信息区域化、控制局部化、网络状态异步更新等特点.寻求一种解决DCOP的大规模、并行、具有智能特征的求解方法已成为一个具有挑战性的研究课题.目前已提出多种求解DCOP的算法,但大多不是完全分散的算法,存在集中环节,需要网络的全局结构作为输入,不适合处理由规模巨大、地理分布、控制分散等因素导致的全局结构难以获取的分布式网络.针对该问题,提出一个基于自组织行为的分治策略求解DCOP.在不具有全局网络知识的情况下,分布在网络中的多个自治Agent基于局部感知信息、采用自组织的方式协作求解.与已有算法相比,它是一个完全分散式算法,并在求解效率和求解质量方面都展现出很好的性能.     

Multi-Agent Constraint Systems with Preferences: Efficiency, Solution Quality, and Privacy Loss

In this paper, we consider multi-agent constraint systems with preferences, modeled as soft constraint systems in which variables and constraints are distributed among multiple autonomous agents. We assume that each agent can set some preferences over its local data, and we consider two different criteria for finding optimal global solutions: fuzzy and Pareto optimality. We propose a general graph-based framework to describe the problem to be solved in its generic form. As a case study, we consider a distributed meeting scheduling problem where each agent has a pre-existing schedule and the agents must decide on a common meeting that satisfies a given optimality condition. For this scenario we consider the topics of solution quality, search efficiency, and privacy loss, where the latter pertains to information about an agent's pre-existing meetings and available time-slots. We also develop and test strategies that trade efficiency for solution quality and strategies that minimize information exchange, including some that do not require inter-agent comparisons of utilities. Our experimental results demonstrate some of the relations among solution quality, efficiency, and privacy loss, and provide useful hints on how to reach a tradeoff among these three factors. In this work, we show how soft constraint formalisms can be used to incorporate preferences into multi-agent problem solving along with other facets of the problem, such as time and distance constraints. This work also shows that the notion of privacy loss can be made concrete so that it can be treated as a distinct, manipulable factor in the context of distributed decision making.     

An Arc-Consistency Algorithm for Dynamic and Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problems

This paper presents the new DDAC4 algorithm for dynamic arc consistency enforcement in distributed constraint satisfaction problems (CSP). The algorithm is an adaptation of the well-known AC-4 algorithm to system settings where constraints can be added and deleted in concurrent processes. It is the first algorithm for arc-consistency enforcement in this system setting. Arc-consistency is achieved whenever the overall system reaches quiescence after a constraint is added or deleted.     

Algorithms for Distributed Constraint Satisfaction: A Review

When multiple agents are in a shared environment, there usually exist constraints among the possible actions of these agents. A distributed constraint satisfaction problem (distributed CSP) is a problem to find a consistent combination of actions that satisfies these inter-agent constraints. Various application problems in multi-agent systems can be formalized as distributed CSPs. This paper gives an overview of the existing research on distributed CSPs. First, we briefly describe the problem formalization and algorithms of normal, centralized CSPs. Then, we show the problem formalization and several MAS application problems of distributed CSPs. Furthermore, we describe a series of algorithms for solving distributed CSPs, i.e., the asynchronous backtracking, the asynchronous weak-commitment search, the distributed breakout, and distributed consistency algorithms. Finally, we show two extensions of the basic problem formalization of distributed CSPs, i.e., handling multiple local variables, and dealing with over-constrained problems.     

基于分布式虚拟环境的装配约束语义模型

装配约束是用来支持分布式虚拟环境中装配交互操作的关键信息.装配约束信息的抽象性关系到对装配单元行为的支持力度,装配约束信息的组织机制决定了分布式虚拟装配计算机实现的效率.针对目前装配约束的抽象和使用方面存在的问题,首先研究装配约束的语义抽象与表达,从产品装配应用域中捕获知识,提取共性,归纳装配约束基本语义并形式化表达;然后提出一种扩展对象语义建模方法,通过该方法对装配约束语义进行组织,赋予其功能行为特性,构建装配约束语义模型.通过VEADAM系统实例,装配约束语义模型能够有效地支持分布式虚拟装配的实现,并能很好地适应应用的变化和扩展.     

基于一致性的分布式变结构多模型方法

本文针对由雷达与红外组成的分布式传感器网络, 研究基于一致性的分布式变结构多模型方法(Distributed variable structure multiple model, DVSMM). 首先,使用无迹信息滤波(Unscented information filter, UIF)解决系统非线性的问题, 然后,将变结构交互式多模型(Variable structure interacting multiple model, VSMM)方法进行改进, 提出一类可应用于分布式状态估计的分布式变结构多模型DVSMM方法. 仿真实验结果验证了该方法的有效性.     

链路约束的分布式网络监测模型

分布式网络监测系统能够实时有效地收集网络性能数据,但收集过程受到链路延迟和路由跳数的约束．链路约束的分布式网络监测模型研究如何在链路约束下用最小的代价部署整个分布式网络监测系统;链路约束的演化网络监测模型研究在网络演化的情况下,如何用最小的更新代价重新部署监测系统使之满足链路约束．求取这两个模型的最优解的问题都是NP难的．通过指定权函数的形式,两个模型对应的最优化问题能够映射成带权的集合覆盖问题,采用贪婪策略能够得到近似比不超过ln n＋1的近似算法,其中n是被监测节点的数目．通过仿真实验还讨论了如何选择恰当的链路延迟约束值．     

Boosting Search with Variable Elimination in Constraint Optimization and Constraint Satisfaction Problems

There are two main solving schemas for constraint satisfaction and optimization problems: i) search, whose basic step is branching over the values of a variables, and ii) dynamic programming, whose basic step is variable elimination. Variable elimination is time and space exponential in a graph parameter called induced width, which renders the approach infeasible for many problem classes. However, by restricting variable elimination so that only low arity constraints are processed and recorded, it can be effectively combined with search, because the elimination of variables may reduce drastically the search tree size.In this paper we introduce BE-BB(k), a hybrid general algorithm that combines search and variable elimination. The parameter k controls the tradeoff between the two strategies. The algorithm is space exponential in k. Regarding time, we show that its complexity is bounded by k and a structural parameter from the constraint graph. We provide experimental evidence that the hybrid algorithm can outperform state-of-the-art algorithms in constraint satisfaction, Max-CSP and Weighted CSP. Especially in optimization tasks, the advantage of our approach over plain search can be overwhelming.     

Constraint Reasoning about Repeating Events: Satisfaction and Optimization

Effective manipulation of temporal information about periodic events is required for solving complex problems such as long‐range scheduling or querying temporal information. Furthermore, many problems involving repeating events involve the optimization of temporal aspects of these events (e.g., minimizing make‐span in job‐shop scheduling). In this paper, a constraint‐based formulation of reasoning problems with repeating events is presented, and its complexity is analyzed for a range of problems. Optimization constraints are interpreted formally using the Semiring CSPs (SCSP) representation of optimization in constraint reasoning. This allows for familiar algorithms such as branch‐and‐bound to be applied to solving them.     

一种基于约束优化的虚拟网络映射方法

虚拟网络映射问题将不同的虚拟网络应用映射到相同的基础设施网络中,这是一个极具挑战性的问题.针对该问题,提出了一种基于约束优化的虚拟网络映射方法,将映射问题分解为节点映射和链路映射两个阶段,其中,前者是将虚拟节点映射到物理节点上,后者将虚拟链路映射到物理路径上,它们都是NP难问题.针对节点映射和链路映射分别提出了node-mapping算法和link-mapping算法.node-mapping算法基于贪婪算法的思想,映射时考虑了物理节点所能提供的资源数量以及物理节点间距离两个因素,该算法能够保证基础设施网络中各节点间的负载相对均衡;同时,通过采用访问控制机制,过滤一些异常的虚拟网络请求,能够有效地提高资源的使用效率.link-mapping算法基于人工智能领域中的分布式约束优化思想,其能够保证得到的解是全局最优的,即映射链路的代价最小.最后,通过模拟实验对该方法进行验证,实验结果表明该方法在求解虚拟网络映射问题时的性能良好.     

时间约束的异构分布式系统工作流能耗优化算法

针对现有异构分布式可变电压/频率(dynamic voltage/frequency scaling, DVFS)计算系统下具有时间约束的工作流能耗优化算法易陷入局部最优的问题,提出了一种新的全局能耗优化算法：反向蛙跳全局能耗感知算法,该算法利用工作流下界完成时间和约束时间之间存在的盈余,逐步从约束时间开始,以不同的跃度值向下界完成时间反向蛙跳,在此过程中基于局部最优解的判断不断调整跃度值直至蛙跳终点,同时保留该过程中工作流满足时间约束且任务运行能耗最小的调度序列.在此基础上利用处理器松弛时间回收技术,在保持任务间依赖关系和满足工作流时间约束的前提下,调整处理器运行电压/频率至更低的合适级别上,从而进一步降低工作流运行能耗.实验表明：该算法能显著降低工作流整体能耗,节能优势明显.     

Privacy Loss in Distributed Constraint Reasoning: A Quantitative Framework for Analysis and its Applications

It is critical that agents deployed in real-world settings, such as businesses, offices, universities and research laboratories, protect their individual users’ privacy when interacting with other entities. Indeed, privacy is recognized as a key motivating factor in the design of several multiagent algorithms, such as in distributed constraint reasoning (including both algorithms for distributed constraint optimization (DCOP) and distributed constraint satisfaction (DisCSPs)), and researchers have begun to propose metrics for analysis of privacy loss in such multiagent algorithms. Unfortunately, a general quantitative framework to compare these existing metrics for privacy loss or to identify dimensions along which to construct new metrics is currently lacking. This paper presents three key contributions to address this shortcoming. First, the paper presents VPS (Valuations of Possible States), a general quantitative framework to express, analyze and compare existing metrics of privacy loss. Based on a state-space model, VPS is shown to capture various existing measures of privacy created for specific domains of DisCSPs. The utility of VPS is further illustrated through analysis of privacy loss in DCOP algorithms, when such algorithms are used by personal assistant agents to schedule meetings among users. In addition, VPS helps identify dimensions along which to classify and construct new privacy metrics and it also supports their quantitative comparison. Second, the article presents key inference rules that may be used in analysis of privacy loss in DCOP algorithms under different assumptions. Third, detailed experiments based on the VPS-driven analysis lead to the following key results: (i) decentralization by itself does not provide superior protection of privacy in DisCSP/DCOP algorithms when compared with centralization; instead, privacy protection also requires the presence of uncertainty about agents’ knowledge of the constraint graph. (ii) one needs to carefully examine the metrics chosen to measure privacy loss; the qualitative properties of privacy loss and hence the conclusions that can be drawn about an algorithm can vary widely based on the metric chosen. This paper should thus serve as a call to arms for further privacy research, particularly within the DisCSP/DCOP arena.     

一种新型多目标遗传优化算法及其应用研究

文章针对一般约束多目标优化问题，在设计了新的适应度函数和选择算子的基础上，提出一种新型多目标遗传算法。将其应用于集群目标靶场效能优化问题，验证了算法的有效性。     

一种基于多连接属性划分的查询优化算法

查询操作是数据库中最常用的操作,由于分布式数据库的数据分布性和冗余性,使得查询优化处理成为分布式数据库研究的核心问题之一。为了提高分布式数据库查询效率,分析讨论了基于直接连接的常见执行策略和查询优化算法,同时针对分布式数据库应用中多表连接时存在多连接属性,提出一种改进的直接连接查询优化策略。改进后的算法提高了查询执行的并行性,缩短了查询处理时间,提高了查询效率。     

一种动态分布式约束优化问题协同求解算法

多Agent协作过程中的许多问题都可在分布式约束优化问题(DCOP)框架下建模,但多局限于规划问题,且一般需Agent具有完全、准确收益函数.针对DCOP局限性,定义动态分布式约束优化问题(DDCOP),分析求解它的两个关键操作:Exploration和Exploitation,提出基于混沌蚂蚁的DDCOP协同求解算法(CA-DDCOP).该算法借鉴单只蚂蚁的混沌行为和蚁群的自组织行为,实现Exploration和Exploitation,根据玻尔兹曼分布,建立平衡Exploration和Exploitation的协同方法.通过多射频多信道无线AdHoc网络的信道分配验证该算法的有效性.     

约束求解与优化技术的结合

提出了将混合约束问题转化为混合整数规划问题的方法.用约束求解方法及混合整数规划方法共同求解混合约束问题可以令二者相互借鉴,从而促进二者求解技术的进一步发展.同时,由混合约束问题转化而来的混合整数规划问题也可作为求解混合整数规划问题的测试问题（benchmarks）.     

解约束规划问题的新型多目标粒子群优化算法

给出了一种求解约束规划问题的新解法。新方法将约束规划问题转化成两个目标优化问题,并对转化后的多目标优化问题设计了一种新型多目标粒子群优化算法(MOPSO)。数据实验表明该算法对带约束的规划问题求解是非常有效的。