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Modelling Genetic Algorithms and Evolving Populations

Modelling Genetic Algorithms and Evolving Populations
Modelling Genetic Algorithms and Evolving Populations
A formalism for modelling the dynamics of genetic algorithms using methods from statistical physics, originally due to Pr¨ugel-Bennett and Shapiro, is extended to ranking selection, a form of selection commonly used in the genetic algorithm community. The extension allows a reduction in the number of macroscopic variables required to model the mean behaviour of the genetic algorithm. This reduction allows a more qualitative understanding of the dynamics to be developed without sacrificing quantitative accuracy. The work is extended beyond modelling the dynamics of the genetic algorithm. A caricature of an optimisation problem with many local minima is considered — the basin with a barrier problem. The first passage time — the time required to escape the local minima to the global minimum — is calculated and insights gained as to how the genetic algorithm is searching the landscape. The interaction of the various genetic algorithm operators and how these interactions give rise to optimal parameters values is studied.
Rogers, Alex
f9130bc6-da32-474e-9fab-6c6cb8077fdc
Rogers, Alex
f9130bc6-da32-474e-9fab-6c6cb8077fdc

Rogers, Alex (2000) Modelling Genetic Algorithms and Evolving Populations. University of Southampton, Electronics and Computer Science, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

A formalism for modelling the dynamics of genetic algorithms using methods from statistical physics, originally due to Pr¨ugel-Bennett and Shapiro, is extended to ranking selection, a form of selection commonly used in the genetic algorithm community. The extension allows a reduction in the number of macroscopic variables required to model the mean behaviour of the genetic algorithm. This reduction allows a more qualitative understanding of the dynamics to be developed without sacrificing quantitative accuracy. The work is extended beyond modelling the dynamics of the genetic algorithm. A caricature of an optimisation problem with many local minima is considered — the basin with a barrier problem. The first passage time — the time required to escape the local minima to the global minimum — is calculated and insights gained as to how the genetic algorithm is searching the landscape. The interaction of the various genetic algorithm operators and how these interactions give rise to optimal parameters values is studied.

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Published date: September 2000
Organisations: University of Southampton, Agents, Interactions & Complexity

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Local EPrints ID: 261289
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/261289
PURE UUID: 90b23d49-d928-44b3-9c78-a85c478aa856

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Date deposited: 03 Oct 2005
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 06:51

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Author: Alex Rogers

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