Differential evolution with proration-based mutation strategy and multi-segment mixed parameter setting for numerical optimization

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In this paper, a new differential evolution (DE) algorithm is presented for solving global optimization problems by guiding the individuals adaptively to explore different decision regions and setting the control parameters properly for individuals. To consolidate algorithm efficiency and preserve population diversity, we first introduce a proration-based mutation strategy. This strategy dynamically selects promising individuals from population as guiders and proportionately allocates the individuals following them based on their fitness values and unsuccessful updates. Besides, we design a multi-segment mixed parameter setting to provide suitable parameters for individuals, considering feedback information from the population, individual requirements, and parameters' interaction. Additionally, we devise an adaptive population maintaining mechanism to refresh the population by replacing individuals with higher unsuccessful updates and removing those with poor fitness values. Unlike previous DE versions, our new algorithm dynamically and appropriately explores promising areas, refines parameter suitability, and accelerates convergence by updating and removing unpromising individuals. This enhances the algorithm search efficiency and achieves a good balance between exploration and exploitation. Finally, we evaluate the proposed algorithm's performance by comparing it with 17 typical or state-of-the-art algorithms on IEEE CEC2014 and CEC2017 test suites. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is a more promising optimizer.