Solving combinatorial optimization problems by nonlinear neural dynamics

The new approach for combinatorial optimization problems using chaotic dynamics is discussed. We show effectiveness of chaotic neuro dynamics for solving combinatorial optimization problems by applying the chaotic neural network to traveling salesman problems. In this paper, we adopt the chaotic neural network model with two internal states, corresponding to mutual interactions which minimize an energy function and refractoriness which induce chaotic dynamics. We investigate relationships between solving abilities and different model parameters such as decay parameters of two internal states, Lyapunov exponents and first order statistics of firing patterns.