Annealing Optimizer Using Single Auxiliary Spin Range Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Ising calculation devices face inefficiencies in solving combinatorial optimization problems with range constraints due to the use of numerous auxiliary spins, leading to biased spin state selection and prolonged search times.

Innovation Solution

The proposed optimizer employs a novel approach by using a single auxiliary spin with a range constraint, allowing it to take arbitrary values within a predetermined range, and incorporates a temperature control mechanism and stochastic inversion determination based on energy change and random numbers to improve search efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple auxiliary spins are used to represent range constraints in combinatorial optimization problems, then the constraint representation becomes more accurate, but the number of spins increases leading to biased spin state selection and prolonged search times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstraint representation accuracyVSAvoidsearch time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple auxiliary spins into a single auxiliary spin that can represent range constraints more efficiently. Instead of using separate auxiliary spins for each constraint condition, the invention uses one auxiliary spin with a value that directly encodes the constraint state, reducing the total number of spins while maintaining constraint representation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by allowing the auxiliary spin to take values in a continuous or expanded range rather than binary states. This parameter change enables the single auxiliary spin to carry more information about the constraint state, effectively replacing multiple binary spins with one multi-valued spin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple auxiliary spins are used to represent range constraints, then the constraint coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the larger number of spins required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstraint coverageVSAvoidnumber of spins
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple auxiliary spins into a single auxiliary spin that can represent the same constraint coverage. By encoding constraint information in the value of one spin rather than the states of multiple spins, the device complexity is reduced while maintaining the ability to cover the full range of constraint conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single auxiliary spin serves multiple functions by representing different constraint states through its value. Instead of dedicating one spin to each constraint condition, the universal auxiliary spin can encode various constraint states, making the system more versatile with fewer components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If numerous auxiliary spins are introduced for range constraint conditions, then the constraint representation becomes more comprehensive, but the processing efficiency deteriorates due to biased spin state selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstraint representation comprehensivenessVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines numerous auxiliary spins into a single auxiliary spin, eliminating the biased spin state selection problem that arises when multiple auxiliary spins are used. The single spin avoids the selection bias inherent in multi-spin systems while maintaining comprehensive constraint representation through its value encoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enhances the process performance for combinatorial optimization problems by reducing the number of auxiliary spins required and improving the efficiency of spin state transitions, thereby shortening the time to reach the minimum energy solution.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature control unit configured to control a temperature value, and an inverted spin determination unit configured to determine presence or absence of inversion of the auxiliary spin on the basis of an inversion determination formula using the energy change amount, the temperature value, and a random number

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSimulated annealing: Annealing

Data Source

PatentEP3901837B1Optimization apparatus, optimization method, and optimization program
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP3901837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3901837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3901837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optimization apparatus includes an annealing unit, a determination unit, an energy calculation unit, and a search unit. The annealing unit calculates a change amount of energy represented by an evaluation function of a case of changing a state of any one of a plurality of state variables so as to increase or decrease a value by 1 in a case of a state variable taking multiple values, and determine whether to set a state change in the state variable as a candidate according to a correlation between a threshold and a total change amount. The determination unit stochastically determines whether to adopt the state change set as the candidate. The energy calculation unit calculates post-transition energy after executing a state transition of the state variable. The search unit sets the post-transition energy as the minimum energy when the post-transition energy is less than the minimum energy.