Population-variance and explorative power of Harmony Search: An analysis

This paper presents a simple mathematical analysis of some features of the Harmony Search algorithm (HS). HS is a recently developed derivative-free optimization algorithm, which draws inspiration from the musical process of searching for a perfect state of harmony. This work analyses the evolution of the population-variance over successive generations in HS and thereby draws some important conclusions regarding the explorative power of HS. Experimental results have been provided to validate the theoretical treatment. A simple modification of the classical HS has been proposed in the light of the mathematical analysis undertaken here.

[1]  Zong Woo Geem,et al.  A New Heuristic Optimization Algorithm: Harmony Search , 2001, Simul..

[2]  Hans-Paul Schwefel,et al.  Evolution and optimum seeking , 1995, Sixth-generation computer technology series.

[3]  Zong Woo Geem,et al.  Improved Harmony Search from Ensemble of Music Players , 2006, KES.

[4]  R. Storn,et al.  Differential evolution a simple and efficient adaptive scheme for global optimization over continu , 1997 .

[5]  R. Storn,et al.  Differential Evolution: A Practical Approach to Global Optimization (Natural Computing Series) , 2005 .

[6]  Zong Woo Geem,et al.  Optimal Scheduling of Multiple Dam System Using Harmony Search Algorithm , 2007, IWANN.

[7]  Hans-Georg Beyer On the "Explorative Power" of ES/EP-like Algorithms , 1998, Evolutionary Programming.

[8]  Mahamed G. H. Omran,et al.  Global-best harmony search , 2008, Appl. Math. Comput..

[9]  Zbigniew Michalewicz,et al.  Handbook of Evolutionary Computation , 1997 .

[10]  M. Fesanghary,et al.  An improved harmony search algorithm for solving optimization problems , 2007, Appl. Math. Comput..

[11]  M. Mahdavi,et al.  ARTICLE IN PRESS Available online at www.sciencedirect.com , 2007 .

[12]  K. Lee,et al.  A new structural optimization method based on the harmony search algorithm , 2004 .

[13]  M. Fesanghary,et al.  Combined heat and power economic dispatch by harmony search algorithm , 2007 .

[14]  Zong Woo Geem,et al.  Harmony Search Optimization: Application to Pipe Network Design , 2002 .

[15]  Zong Woo Geem,et al.  Application of Harmony Search to Vehicle Routing , 2005 .