Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Successful Application of Genetic Algorithms to Network Design and Planning

  • Published:
BT Technology Journal

Abstract

The optimal design of telecommunications network infrastructure demands consideration of many complex factors such as type, number and position of components and cable paths. The difficulty of producing a consistent and cost-effective solution increases with network size and complexity. A genetic optimisation system, GenOSys, developed at BT, can generate different network configurations and evaluate them rapidly to arrive at an optimal or near-optimal solution. GenOSys has been employed with great success in new site planning offices of networkBT for more than a year. This paper reviews the operation of GenOSys and summarises the key steps in the practical application of the algorithms. In addition, the business benefits provided by the GenOSys planning tool in the working environment are analysed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Michalewicz Z: ‘A step towards optimal topology of communication networks’, Data Structures and Target Classification, SPIE, 1470 (1991).

  2. Whitley D, Startweather T and Fuquay D: ‘Scheduling problems and travelling salesmen: the genetic edge recombination operator’, in Shaeffer J D (Ed): ‘Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Genetic Algorithms’, Washington D C, Morgan Kaufmann (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Goldberg D E: ‘Genetic Algorithms in Search, Optimisation and Machine Learning’, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company (1989).

  4. Holland J H: ‘Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems’, MIT press (1994).

  5. Wilson R J and Watkins J J: ‘Graphs: An Introductory Approach’, John Wiley & Son Inc (1990).

  6. Wardrop G: ‘The network optimisation tool — phase 1’, Greenfield Planning Closure Report (internal BT memorandum) (December 1998).

Download references

Authors
  1. K F Poon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A Conway
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G Wardrop
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J Mellis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

About this article

Cite this article

Poon, K.F., Conway, A., Wardrop, G. et al. Successful Application of Genetic Algorithms to Network Design and Planning. BT Technology Journal 18, 32–41 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026750507663

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026750507663

Keywords

Search

Navigation