Auxiliary Variable Calculator for Ising Machine Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ising machines struggle to guarantee optimal solutions for combinatorial optimization problems, with stochastic distribution of optimization degrees and reduced probabilities of optimal output solutions, especially when using analog variables.

Innovation Solution

A combinatorial problem calculation system that includes an auxiliary variable calculation device and an Ising machine, where the auxiliary device calculates and outputs variables to correct the Ising Hamiltonian, suppressing variations in absolute values between variables, thereby improving solving performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If an Ising machine uses analog variables to solve combinatorial optimization problems, then calculation speed is improved, but solving performance and accuracy of optimal solutions deteriorate due to variation in absolute values between variables

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation speedVSAvoidsolving performance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing an auxiliary variable that dynamically adjusts the absolute values of analog variables during calculation. This auxiliary variable modifies the parameter space of the Ising machine, transforming the distribution of variable absolute values to suppress variations and improve convergence toward optimal solutions while preserving the analog calculation speed advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary variable acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the analog variables and the optimization objective. It indirectly controls the absolute values of the primary variables, allowing the system to maintain analog computation benefits while achieving better solution accuracy through this intermediate control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the Ising machine executes candidate solution search processing repeatedly to improve optimal solution probability, then solving performance improves, but calculation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobability of optimal solutionVSAvoidcalculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary variable is calculated and applied before the main candidate solution search processing begins. This preliminary action pre-adjusts the variable distribution to favor optimal solutions, reducing the number of repeated executions needed and thereby decreasing total calculation time while maintaining high probability of obtaining optimal solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250181104A1Combinatorial optimization problem calculation system, ising machine, auxiliary variable calculator, combinatorial optimization problem calculation method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A combinatorial problem calculation system includes: an auxiliary variable calculation device that calculates and outputs, on the basis of a result of candidate solution search processing of an Ising machine, an auxiliary variable that corrects an Ising Hamiltonian representing a combinatorial optimization problem, the auxiliary variable suppressing variation in absolute value between variables; and the Ising machine that corrects the Ising Hamiltonian on the basis of the auxiliary variable, and executes the candidate solution search processing on the basis of the corrected Ising Hamiltonian, in which the auxiliary variable calculation device and the Ising machine repeatedly execute each piece of processing until a predetermined condition is satisfied.