An improved firefly algorithm with dynamic self-adaptive adjustment

The firefly algorithm (FA) is proposed as a heuristic algorithm, inspired by natural phenomena. The FA has attracted a lot of attention due to its effectiveness in dealing with various global optimization problems. However, it could easily fall into a local optimal value or suffer from low accuracy when solving high-dimensional optimization problems. To improve the performance of the FA, this paper adds the self-adaptive logarithmic inertia weight to the updating formula of the FA, and proposes the introduction of a minimum attractiveness of a firefly, which greatly improves the convergence speed and balances the global exploration and local exploitation capabilities of FA. Additionally, a step-size decreasing factor is introduced to dynamically adjust the random step-size term. When the dimension of a search is high, the random step-size becomes very small. This strategy enables the FA to explore solution more accurately. This improved FA (LWFA) was evaluated with ten benchmark test functions under different dimensions (D = 10, 30, and 100) and with standard IEEE CEC 2010 benchmark functions. Simulation results show that the performance of improved FA is superior comparing to the standard FA and other algorithms, i.e., particle swarm optimization, the cuckoo search algorithm, the flower pollination algorithm, the sine cosine algorithm, and other modified FA. The LWFA also has high performance and optimal efficiency for a number of optimization problems.

Accuracy Characteristics of the Parametric Burg Method for Spatial Signal Processing in a Nonuniform Array Antenna

Introduction. In the case of a nonuniform (NU) design of the antenna elements (AEs) of the receiving antenna array (AA), the antenna pattern (AP) features sidelobes (SL) with a significantly higher noise level than acceptable values. Under low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), this noise leads to angular coordinate measuring errors thus worsening the statistical accuracy characteristics (ACs) of the signal. It is of relevance to construct the ACs of angular coordinates when a modified parametric Burg method (BM) is applied to spatial reflected signal processing in a transportable decametre range radar (DRR) with a nonuniform array (NUA) and linear accuracy characteristics. Aim. To analyse the statistical ACs of angular coordinate objects when using a modified BM for spatial reflected signal processing in a DRR with a linear NUA, in which AEs are located with a random step in the range from λ/2 to several λ, where λ is the operating carrier wavelength.Materials and methods. Statistical ACs were constructed by computer modelling in the MatLab software, the reliability of which was confirmed by conventional discrete Fourier transform methods, as well as by comparing the obtained ACs with asymptotic bounds, including Cramer-Rao bounds.Results. The possibility and conditions of using a modified parametric BM for estimating the azimuthal coordinates of reflected radar signals were determined for the case of a nonuniform design of the over-the-horizon DRR receiving AA AEs. Statistical ACs were obtained and compared with the asymptotically optimal ACs of the maximum likelihood estimations corresponding to the uniform AE design.Conclusion. The obtained results confirm the suboptimality of the BM modified for signal processing in the NUA at a random AE spacing step in the range from λ/2 to 2λ, making it applicable for use in transportable DRRs.

Sequential Decision-Making in Ants and Implications to the Evidence Accumulation Decision Model

Cooperative transport of large food loads by Paratrechina longicornis ants demands repeated decision-making. Inspired by the Evidence Accumulation (EA) model classically used to describe decision-making in the brain, we conducted a binary choice experiment where carrying ants rely on social information to choose between two paths. We found that the carried load performs a biased random walk that continuously alternates between the two options. We show that this motion constitutes a physical realization of the abstract EA model and exhibits an emergent version of the psychophysical Weber’s law. In contrast to the EA model, we found that the load’s random step size is not fixed but, rather, varies with both evidence and circumstances. Using theoretical modeling we show that variable step size expands the scope of the EA model from isolated to sequential decisions. We hypothesize that this phenomenon may also be relevant in neuronal circuits that perform sequential decisions.

Modified IWO algorithm for topological optimum synthesis of the displacement amplifying compliant mechanism

The conventional mechanisms transmitted force and displacement through rigid members (high stiffness) and traditional joints (with high softness), where recently, researchers have come up with new systems called compliant mechanisms that transfer power and mobility through the deformation of their flexible members. One of the most frequently used approaches for designing compliant mechanisms is topology optimization. Extracting the optimal design of a displacement amplifying compliant mechanism using the modified Invasive Weed Optimization (MIWO) method is the current study's main novelty. The studied mechanism is a compliant micro-mechanism that can be used as a micrometric displacement amplifier. The goal of this synthesis is to maximize the output-to-input displacement ratio. In this research, a new random step is added to the Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO) method; the new seeds can be spread farther from their parents, which can be improved the algorithm's abilities. The results show that the use of the modified IWO algorithm for this problem has led to a significant improvement over the results from similar articles.

Detection Characteristics of the Parametric Method of Signal Processing in a Sparse Antenna Array of a Transportable Decameter Range Radar

Introduction. The possibility of application of modified parametric methods of spatial signal processing in a sparse antenna array (SEAA) of the receiving position of transportable over-the-horizon decameter range radar (DRR) intended for all-weather remote monitoring of the shelf zone is considered in this paper. With an operational deployment of DRR on unprepared coast, problems of the equidistant location of antenna elements (AEs) often arise. In the case of nonequidistant AEs location and matched spatial processing, antenna pattern has interference sidelobes, which level can significantly exceed the allowable or calculated one for an equidistant AA. A well-known alternative to matched processing are parametric methods of spectral analysis based on the using of models with a finite number of parameters, but their direct application requires an equidistant sampling of the spatial signal.Aim. The aim of the research is to develop and analyze the method of parametric processing of spatial signals of the SEAA which AEs are located on the line with a random step in the range from λ/2 to several λ, where λ is the DRR wavelength.Materials and methods. To construct the detection characteristics (DC) computer modeling in the MatLab environment, the reliability of which was confirmed by the construction of known and theoretically calculated DC, was used.Results. The developed method includes a procedure of restoring (synthesizing) of artificial signal of equidistant AA with subsequent application of Burg parametric algorithm to obtain an estimate of the angular spatial frequency spectrum. To prove the applicability of the parametric method of SEAA signals processing in the case of location signals detecting, DC were obtained and compared with optimal ones.Conclusions. The obtained results have proved the suboptimality of the parametric method of SEAA signal processing at the random AEs spacing step lying in the range from λ/2 to 3λ, what makes it possible to recommend it for using in transportable DRRs.

Improved Beetle Antennae Search Algorithm-Based Lévy Flight for Tuning of PID Controller in Force Control System

To enhance the anti-interference capability of an electrohydraulic force servo control system and increase the efficiency of the PID controller, this paper proposes a LBAS-PID controller. In LBAS, the random step created by the Lévy flight trajectory was used in the original algorithm to enhance the diversity of the population and convergence speed. In the force servo control system, LBAS-PID can enhance the performance of the system. First, the basic mathematical model of an electrohydraulic force servo control system was built based on theoretical analysis. The transfer function model was obtained by identifying the system parameters. Second, the introduced Lévy flight beetle antennae search algorithm was introduced and applied to ten benchmark functions, and the results were compared with those of other algorithms. Then, the proposed algorithm was applied in the PID controller to tune PID parameters in the force servo control system. To comprehensively evaluate performances of an electrohydraulic force servo control system that is controlled by the LBAS-PID controller, the frequency response analysis and temporal response analysis were obtained. The numerical analysis results indicate that an electrohydraulic force servo control system with an LBAS-PID controller could substantially increase the control characteristics of the system and restrain the external disturbances when different interference signals are examined.

Firefly Algorithm Based PID Controllers for Automatic Load Frequency Control in Different Power Systems

The automatic load frequency control problem has been addressed in different power system areas such as single area, two area and three areas. Each area contain one thermal unit, one hydro unit and one gas unit. Initially, single-area three-unit system is addressed to analyze without and with PID controller for 10% of step load perturbation. After that, a two-area six-unit and three area-nine-unit systems are acknowledged and analyzed the effectiveness of PID controller. At last, capability of the proposed controller is assessed with a random step load disturbance. The total study was taken up in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment.