Localized Weighted Sum Method for Many-Objective Optimization

Decomposition via scalarization is a basic concept for multiobjective optimization. The weighted sum (WS) method, a frequently used scalarizing method in decomposition-based evolutionary multiobjective (EMO) algorithms, has good features such as computationally easy and high search efficiency, compared to other scalarizing methods. However, it is often criticized by the loss of effect on nonconvex problems. This paper seeks to utilize advantages of the WS method, without suffering from its disadvantage, to solve many-objective problems. A novel decomposition-based EMO algorithm called multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition LWS (MOEA/D-LWS) is proposed in which the WS method is applied in a local manner. That is, for each search direction, the optimal solution is selected only amongst its neighboring solutions. The neighborhood is defined using a hypercone. The apex angle of a hypervcone is determined automatically in a priori. The effectiveness of MOEA/D-LWS is demonstrated by comparing it against three variants of MOEA/D, i.e., MOEA/D using Chebyshev method, MOEA/D with an adaptive use of WS and Chebyshev method, MOEA/D with a simultaneous use of WS and Chebyshev method, and four state-of-the-art many-objective EMO algorithms, i.e., preference-inspired co-evolutionary algorithm, hypervolume-based evolutionary,theta-dominance-based algorithm, and SPEA2+SDE for the WFG benchmark problems with up to seven conflicting objectives. Experimental results show that MOEA/D-LWS outperforms the comparison algorithms for most of test problems, and is a competitive algorithm for many-objective optimization.