The dominance digraph as a solution to the two-machine flow-shop problem with interval processing times

The flow-shop minimum-length scheduling problem with n jobs processed on two machines is addressed where processing times are uncertain: lower and upper bounds for the random processing time are given before scheduling, but its probability distribution between these bounds is unknown. For such a problem, there often does not exist a dominant schedule that remains optimal for all possible realizations of the job processing times, and we look for a minimal set of schedules that is dominant. Such a minimal dominant set of schedules may be represented by a dominance digraph. We investigate useful properties of such a digraph.     

Flowshop scheduling problem to minimize total completion time with random and bounded processing times

The flowshop scheduling problems with n jobs processed on two or three machines, and with two jobs processed on k machines are addressed where jobs have random and bounded processing times. The probability distributions of random processing times are unknown, and only the lower and upper bounds of processing times are given before scheduling. In such cases, there may not exist a unique schedule that remains optimal for all feasible realizations of the processing times, and therefore, a set of schedules has to be considered which dominates all other schedules for the given criterion. We obtain sufficient conditions when transposition of two jobs minimizes total completion time for the cases of two and three machines. The geometrical approach is utilized for flowshop problem with two jobs and k machines.     

Power-aware scheduling of preemptable jobs on identical parallel processors to minimize makespan

This paper deals with power-aware scheduling of preemptable jobs on identical parallel processors to minimize schedule length when jobs are described by continuous, strictly concave functions relating their processing speed at time t to the amount of power allotted at the moment. Power is a continuous, doubly constrained resource, i.e. both: its availability at time t and consumption over scheduling horizon are constrained. Precedence constraints among jobs are represented by a task-on-arc graph. A methodology based on properties of optimal schedules is presented for solving the problem optimally for a given ordering of nodes in the graph. Heuristics for finding an ordering which leads to possibly short schedules are proposed and examined experimentally.     

两台平行机的实时到达在线排序

本文考虑一的的在线平行机排序模型－－实时到达在线问题,该模型中,工件是陆续到达的,工件的个数及到达时间是事先未知的,而且只有当工件到达,才知其加工时间,所求目标是使所有工件都加工完的时间达到最小,对两台平行机的情形,Ｃｈｅｎ与Ｖｅｓｔｊｅｎｓ给出近似比为３／２的线ＬＰＴ算法,并证明了不存在近似小于（５－√５）／２的算法,我们利用黄金分割数设计了一个 算法,其近似比不超过（１８－√５）／１１。     

A class of on-line scheduling algorithms to minimize total completion time

We consider the problem of scheduling jobs on-line on a single machine and on identical machines with the objective to minimize total completion time. We assume that the jobs arrive over time. We give a general 2-competitive algorithm for the single machine problem. The algorithm is based on delaying the release time of the jobs, i.e., making the jobs artificially later available to the on-line scheduler than the actual release times. Our algorithm includes two known algorithms for this problem that apply delay of release times. The proposed algorithm is interesting since it gives the on-line scheduler a whole range of choices for the delays, each of which leading to 2-competitiveness.We also show that the algorithm is 2α competitive for the problem on identical machines where α is the performance ratio of the Shortest Remaining Processing Time first rule for the preemptive relaxation of the problem.     

Scheduling for a multifunction phased array radar system

A multifunction radar is a new, complex, radar system which combines the previously isolated tasks of searching volumes of space, tracking targets and guiding missiles. This study was instigated by the Defence Research Agency who require scheduling rules for their newly developed multifunction radar system. The primary interest when looking at the operational efficiency of this type of radar system is to schedule the radar jobs effectively. These jobs take the form of a coupled task which consists of two distinct operations that require processing in a predetermined order and at a specified interval apart. In the radar scenario, each job is cyclic in nature with its own due date and processing time. The need for an on-line scheduler restricts the radar controller to use heuristic methods. A detailed functional simulation model, which generates a multifunction radar environment, has been developed to aid the evaluation of the various scheduling heuristics that we have proposed.     

Power-aware scheduling of preemptable jobs on identical parallel processors to meet deadlines

This paper deals with a power-aware scheduling of preemptable independent jobs on identical parallel processors where ready time for each job is given and its completion time has to meet a given deadline. Jobs are described by (different) continuous, strictly concave functions relating their processing speeds at a time to the amount of power allotted at the moment. Power is a continuous, doubly constrained resource, i.e. both: its availability at each time instant and consumption over scheduling horizon are constrained. A methodology based on properties of minimum-length schedules is utilized to determine the existence of a feasible schedule for given amounts of energy and power. The question about minimum levels of power and energy ensuring the existence of a feasible schedule for a given set of jobs is also studied.     

两台可拒绝同型机半在线排序问题

本文讨论一个两台可拒绝同型机半在线排序问题.当工件到达时,可以被拒绝,但要付出一定的罚值,也可以被接收加工,消耗一定的加工时间.其目标是要使所有加工工件生成的makespan和被拒绝工件的总罚值之和最小.加工不允许中断.进一步,机器带有两个并行处理子系统,可以提供两种排序方案,最后选取较好的一种.这是第一个在可拒绝同型机排序模型中使用半在线信息,我们设计出一个近似算法,其竞争比为3/2,另外又给出一个√3+1/2≈1.366的下界.     

两台平行机完工时间平方和最小的排序问题

在两个竞争公司进行零和博弈过程中, 最大化两个公司收益的乘积, 在两台平行机的离线排序问题中相当于最小化两台机器完工时间的平方和. 给出了该问题修改的延缓开始\ LPT\ 算法: 首先, 将工件按照加工时间$\p_j\ $的\ LPT\ 序重新标记; 若加工时间最长的前\ $2m$\ 个工件的总加工时间\ $P(2m)< (2m+1)p_{2m+1}$, 最优的安排加工前\ $2m+1$\ 个工件, 一旦有机器空闲, 依次从第\ $2m+2$\ 个工件安排加工; 否则,\ $P(2m)\geq (2m+1)p_{2m+1}$, 最优的安排加工前\ $2m$\ 个工件, 一旦有机器空闲, 依次从第\ $2m+1$\ 个工件安排加工. 证明了该算法的最差性能比不超过\ $1+ ( \frac{1}{2m+2} )^2$, 且界是紧的.     

Scheduling in network flow shops

We consider the general problem of static scheduling of a set of jobs in a network flow shop. In network flow shops, the scheduler not only has to sequence and schedule but also must concurrently determine the process routing of the jobs through the shop. In this paper, we establish the computational complexity of this new class of scheduling problem and propose a general purpose heuristic procedure. The performance of the heuristic is analyzed when makespan, cycle time and average flow time are the desired objectives.This research has been supported by the UCLA Academic Senate Grant #95.     

带机器准备时间的平行机在线与半在线排序

本文研究带机器准备时间的m台平行机系统在线和半在线排序问题.对在线排序问题,我们证明了LS算法的最坏情况界为2-1/m.对已知工件加工时间递减,已知总加工时间和已知工件最大加工时间三个半在线模型,我们分析了它们的下界和所给算法的最坏情况界.对其中两台机情形均得到了最好近似算怯。     

Optimal on-line flow time with resource augmentation

We study the problem of scheduling n jobs that arrive over time. We consider a non-preemptive setting on a single machine. The goal is to minimize the total flow time. We use extra resource competitive analysis: an optimal off-line algorithm which schedules jobs on a single machine is compared to a more powerful on-line algorithm that has ? machines. We design an algorithm of competitive ratio , where Δ is the maximum ratio between two job sizes, and provide a lower bound which shows that the algorithm is optimal up to a constant factor for any constant ?. The algorithm works for a hard version of the problem where the sizes of the smallest and the largest jobs are not known in advance, only Δ and n are known. This gives a trade-off between the resource augmentation and the competitive ratio.We also consider scheduling on parallel identical machines. In this case the optimal off-line algorithm has m machines and the on-line algorithm has ?m machines. We give a lower bound for this case. Next, we give lower bounds for algorithms using resource augmentation on the speed. Finally, we consider scheduling with hard deadlines, and scheduling so as to minimize the total completion time.     

Scheduling time-dependent jobs under mixed deterioration

We consider a new model of time-dependent scheduling. A set of deteriorating jobs has to be processed on a single machine which is available starting from a non-zero time. The processing times of some jobs from this set are constant, while other ones are either proportional or linear functions of the job starting times. The applied criteria of schedule optimality include the maximum completion time, the total completion time, the total weighted completion time, the maximum lateness and the number of tardy jobs. We delineate a sharp boundary between computationally easy and difficult problems, showing polynomially solvable and NP-hard cases.     

Sequencing with uncertain numerical data for makespan minimisation

We consider a scheduling problem with the objective of minimising the makespan under uncertain numerical input data (for example, the processing time of an operation, the job release time and due date) and fixed structural input data (for example the precedence and capacity constraints). We assume that at (before) the scheduling stage the structural input data are known and fixed but all we know about the numerical input data are their upper and lower bounds, where the uncertain numerical data become realised at the control stage as the scheduled process evolves. After improving the mixed graph model, we present an approach for dealing with our scheduling problem under uncertain numerical data based on a stability analysis of an optimal makespan schedule. In particular, we investigate the candidate set of the critical paths in a circuit-free digraph, characterise a minimal set of the optimal schedules, and develop an optimal and a heuristic algorithm. We also report computational results for randomly generated as well as well-known test problems.     

Predictive–reactive scheduling on a single resource with uncertain future jobs

We consider a scheduling problem where the firm must compete with other firms to win future jobs. Uncertainty arises as a result of incomplete information about whether the firm will win future jobs at the time the firm must create a predictive (planned) schedule. In the predictive schedule, the firm must determine the amount of planned idle time for uncertain jobs and their positions in the schedule. When the planned idle time does not match the actual requirements, certain schedule disruptions occur. The firm seeks to minimize the sum of expected tardiness cost, schedule disruption cost, and wasted idle time cost. For the special case of a single uncertain job, we provide a simple algorithm for the optimal planned idle time and the best reactive method for schedule disruptions. For the case of multiple uncertain jobs, a heuristic dynamic programming approach is presented.     

基于重新排序时间错位限制下的最小化总完工时间的平行分批排序（英文）

In the rescheduling on a single machine, a set of the original jobs has already been scheduled, in order to make a given objective function is optimal. The decision maker needs to insert the new jobs into the existing schedule without excessively disrupting it. A batching machine is a machine that can handle up to some jobs simultaneously. In this paper,we consider the total completion time under a limit on the sequence disruptions for parallel batching based on rescheduling. For the parallel batching problem based on rescheduling, we research the properties of feasible schedules and optimal schedules on the total completion time under a limit on the maximum time disruptions or total time disruptions, in which the jobs are sequenced in SPT order, and give out the pseudo-polynomial time algorithms on the number of jobs and the processing time of jobs by applying the dynamic programming method.     

Minimizing makespan for two parallel machines with job limit on each availability interval

We consider the problem of scheduling jobs on two parallel machines that are not continuously available for processing. The machine is not available after processing a fixed number of jobs in order to make precision adjustment of machines such as in wafer manufacturing, to reload the feeder in printed circuit board production, or to undertake any other maintenance works such as cleaning and safety inspections. The objective of the problem is to minimize the makespan. Two different scheduling horizons are investigated for this problem. For the short-term scheduling horizon, we consider only the time period before the unavailability interval, while for the long-term horizon, machines are allowed to restart processing after the unavailability interval. For both cases, which are strongly NP-hard, exact optimization algorithms based on the branch and bound method are proposed. Although the algorithms have exponential time complexities, computational results show that they can solve optimally the various-sized problems in reasonable computation time.     

Minimizing maximum tardiness and number of tardy jobs on parallel machines subject to minimum flow-time

This paper considers the problems of scheduling jobs on parallel identical machines where an optimal schedule is defined as one that gives the smallest maximum tardiness (or the minimum number of tardy jobs) among the set of schedules with optimal total flow-time (the sum of the completion times of all jobs). We show that these problems are unary NP-Hard, develop lower bounds for these two secondary criteria problems, and describe heuristic algorithms for their solution. Results of a computational study show that the proposed heuristic algorithms are quite effective and efficient in solving these hierarchical criteria scheduling problems.     

Parallel machine scheduling with machine availability and eligibility constraints

In this paper we consider the problem of scheduling n independent jobs on m identical machines incorporating machine availability and eligibility constraints while minimizing the makespan. Each machine is not continuously available at all times and each job can only be processed on specified machines. A network flow approach is used to formulate this scheduling problem into a series of maximum flow problems. We propose a polynomial time binary search algorithm to either verify the infeasibility of the problem or solve it optimally if a feasible schedule exists.     

Scheduling with unexpected machine breakdowns

We investigate an online version of a basic scheduling problem where a set of jobs has to be scheduled on a number of identical machines so as to minimize the makespan. The job processing times are known in advance and preemption of jobs is allowed. Machines are non-continuously available, i.e., they can break down and recover at arbitrary time instances not known in advance. New machines may be added as well. Thus machine availabilities change online. We first show that no online algorithm can construct optimal schedules. We also show that no online algorithm can achieve a bounded competitive ratio if there may be time intervals where no machine is available. Then we present an online algorithm that constructs schedules with an optimal makespan of C_max^OPT if a lookahead of one is given, i.e., the algorithm always knows the next point in time when the set of available machines changes. Finally, we give an online algorithm without lookahead that constructs schedules with a nearly optimal makespan of C_max^OPT+, for any >0, if at any time at least one machine is available. Our results demonstrate that not knowing machine availabilities in advance is of little harm.