Integrating heuristic knowledge and optimization models forcommunication network design |
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Authors: | Dutta A Mitra S |
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Affiliation: | Dept. of Manage. Sci., Iowa Univ., Iowa City, IA ; |
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Abstract: | A method is developed for integrating heuristic design knowledge with optimization models to create a tool for the topological design of computer communication networks. Design choices are based on suggestions from optimization models, as well as heuristic knowledge, which interact through a blackboard. A truth maintenance system (TMS) records justification for current design choices, as well as promising alternatives. A dependency-directed backtracking mechanism works with the TMS to choose other alternatives as warranted. This hybrid tool can consider a wider range of design requirements than is possible using one type of knowledge alone, is flexible in handling variations in these requirements, and has a modular structure which facilitates incremental refinement. Computational results on separate networks show it is effective in identifying good low-cost solutions |
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