Route selection and rate allocation using evolutionary computation algorithms in multirate multicast networks

Abstract

In this paper, we simultaneously address the route selection and rate allocation problem in multirate multicast networks. We propose the evolutionary computation algorithm based on a genetic algorithm for this problem and elaborate upon many of the elements in order to improve solution quality and computational efficiency in applying the proposed methods to the problem. These include: the genetic representation, evaluation function, genetic operators and procedure. Additionally, a new method using an artificial intelligent search technique, called the coevolutionary algorithm, is proposed to achieve better solutions. The results of extensive computational simulations show that the proposed algorithms provide high quality solutions and outperform existing approach. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.