Title
Optimization algorithms for large-scale real-world instances of the frequency assignment problem
Abstract
Nowadays, mobile communications are experiencing a strong growth, being more and more indispensable. One of the key issues in the design of mobile networks is the frequency assignment problem (FAP). This problem is crucial at present and will remain important in the foreseeable future. Real-world instances of FAP typically involve very large networks, which can be handled only by heuristic methods. In the present work, we are interested in optimizing frequency assignments for problems described in a mathematical formalism that incorporates actual interference information, measured directly on the field, as is done in current GSM networks. To achieve this goal, a range of metaheuristics have been designed, adapted, and rigourously compared on two actual GSM networks modeled according to the latter formalism. To generate quickly and reliably high-quality solutions, all metaheuristics combine their global search capabilities with a local-search method specially tailored for this domain. The experiments and statistical tests show that in general, all metaheuristics are able to improve upon results published in previous studies, but two of the metaheuristics emerge as the best performers: a population-based algorithm (Scatter Search) and a trajectory based (1+1) Evolutionary Algorithm. Finally, the analysis of the frequency plans obtained offers insight about how the interference cost is reduced in the optimal plans.
Year
DOI
Venue
2011
10.1007/s00500-010-0653-4
Soft Comput.
Keywords
Field
DocType
Frequency assignment problem,Large-scale real-world instances,Metaheuristics,Optimal design
Population,GSM,Mathematical optimization,Heuristic,Evolutionary algorithm,Computer science,Optimal design,Artificial intelligence,Mobile telephony,Statistical hypothesis testing,Machine learning,Metaheuristic
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
15
5
1432-7643
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
12
0.62
38
Authors
12
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Francisco Luna114412.40
César Estébanez2657.39
Coromoto León323125.71
José M. Chaves-gonzález411912.16
Antonio J. Nebro5111854.62
Ricardo Aler632135.25
Carlos Segura721621.44
Miguel A. Vega-Rodríguez8741113.05
Enrique Alba93796242.34
José M. Valls10515.97
Gara Miranda1118818.16
Juan A. Gómez-Pulido1220221.36