Neural network approach for allocation with capacity

Abstract

In this paper we discuss neural network approach for allocation with capacity constraints problem. This problem can be formulated as zero-one integer programming problem. We transform this zero-one integer programming problem into an equivalent nonlinear programming problem by replacing zero-one constraints with quadratic concave equality constraints. We propose two kinds of neural network structures based on penalty function method and augmented Lagrangian multiplier method, and compare them by theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. We show that penalty function based neural network approach is not good to combinatorial optimization problem because it falls in the dilemma whether terminating at an infeasible solution or sticking at any feasible solution, and augmented Lagrangian multiplier method based neural network can alleviate this suffering in some degree.