An ant colony optimization algorithm and multi-agent system combined method to solve Single Source Capacitated Facility Location Problem

ACO is an effective method to solve Single Source Capacitated Facility Location Problem (SSCFLP). However, the increasing data size will cause its decreasing computing efficiency. Based on Agent-Oriented Programming (AOP) paradigm to build a distributed Multi-Agent System of ACO to solve SSCFLP is an efficient way of reducing computing time. This method is tested in three comparative experiments under two different data size condition, which proves that using multiple computers to build MAS can greatly improve the efficiency of intelligent computing.