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Simulation-based optimization over discrete sets with noisy constraints

Published: 11 December 2011 Publication History

Abstract

We consider a constrained optimization problem over a discrete set where noise--corrupted observations of the objective and constraints are available. The problem is challenging because the feasibility of a solution cannot be known for certain, due to the noisy measurements of the constraints. To tackle this issue, we propose a new method that converts constrained optimization into the unconstrained optimization problem of finding a saddle point of the Lagrangian. The method applies stochastic approximation to the Lagrangian in search of the saddle point. The proposed method is shown to converge, under suitable conditions, to the optimal solution almost surely (a.s.) as the number of iterations grows. We present the effectiveness of the proposed method numerically in two settings: (1) inventory control in a periodic review system, and (2) staffing in a call center.

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Cited By

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  • (2015)Business models for cloud computingProceedings of the 2015 Winter Simulation Conference10.5555/2888619.2888925(2656-2667)Online publication date: 6-Dec-2015
  • (2015)An introduction to simulation optimizationProceedings of the 2015 Winter Simulation Conference10.5555/2888619.2888819(1780-1794)Online publication date: 6-Dec-2015
  • (2013)Simulation-based optimization using simulated annealing for optimal equipment selection within print production environmentsProceedings of the 2013 Winter Simulation Conference: Simulation: Making Decisions in a Complex World10.5555/2675983.2676122(1097-1108)Online publication date: 8-Dec-2013

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      cover image ACM Conferences
      WSC '11: Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference
      December 2011
      4336 pages

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      Published: 11 December 2011

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      December 11 - 14, 2011
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      WSC '11 Paper Acceptance Rate 203 of 270 submissions, 75%;
      Overall Acceptance Rate 3,413 of 5,075 submissions, 67%

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      View all
      • (2015)Business models for cloud computingProceedings of the 2015 Winter Simulation Conference10.5555/2888619.2888925(2656-2667)Online publication date: 6-Dec-2015
      • (2015)An introduction to simulation optimizationProceedings of the 2015 Winter Simulation Conference10.5555/2888619.2888819(1780-1794)Online publication date: 6-Dec-2015
      • (2013)Simulation-based optimization using simulated annealing for optimal equipment selection within print production environmentsProceedings of the 2013 Winter Simulation Conference: Simulation: Making Decisions in a Complex World10.5555/2675983.2676122(1097-1108)Online publication date: 8-Dec-2013

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