A novel quasi-oppositional chaotic antlion optimizer for global optimization

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel quasi-oppositional chaotic antlion optimizer (ALO) (QOCALO) for solving global optimization problems. ALO is a population based algorithm motivated by the unique hunting behavior of antlions in nature and exhibits strong influence in solving global and engineering optimization problems. In the proposed QOCALO algorithm of the present work, the initial population is generated using the quasi-opposition based learning (QOBL) and the concept of QOBL based generation jumping is utilized inside the main searching strategy of the proposed algorithm. Utilization of QOBL ensures better convergence speed of the proposed algorithm and it also provides better exploration of the search space. Alongside the QOBL, a chaotic local search (CLS) is also incorporated in the proposed QOCALO algorithm. The CLS guides local search around the global best solution that provides better exploitation of the search space. Thus, a better trade-off between exploration and exploitation holds for the proposed algorithm which makes it robust. It is observed that the proposed algorithm offers better results than the original ALO in terms of solution quality and convergence speed. The proposed QOCALO algorithm is implemented and tested, successfully, on nineteen mathematical benchmark test functions of varying complexities and the experimental results are compared to those offered by the basic ALO and some other recently developed nature inspired algorithms. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is further utilized to solve three real world engineering optimization problems viz. (a) the placement and sizing problem of distributed generators in radial distribution networks, (b) the congestion management problem in power transmission system and (c) the optimal design of pressure vessel.