A hybrid ant colony algorithm for global optimization of continuous multi-extreme functions

A hybrid optimization technique is proposed for global optimization of continuous multi-extreme functions. The scheme incorporates a deterministic searching algorithm (the Powell method) into the ant colony algorithm. This hybrid method can improve the optimization performance and enhance the fast convergence during the local search of the ant colony algorithm. Experimental results of the global optimization of two continuous multi-extreme functions indicate the effectiveness and the applicability of the proposed algorithm.