A particle swarm optimization-based method for multiobjective design optimizations

Abstract

A particle swarm optimization (PSO) based algorithm for finding the Pareto solutions of multiobjective design problems is proposed. To enhance the global searching ability of the available PSOs, a novel formula for updating the particles' velocity and position, as well as the introduction of craziness, are reported. To handle a multiobjective design problem using the improved PSO, a new fitness assignment mechanism is proposed. Moreover, two repositories, together with the age variables for their members, are introduced for storing and selecting the previous best positions of the particle as well as that of its companions. Besides, the use of age variables to enhance the diversity of the solutions is also described. The proposed method is tested on two numerical examples with promising results.