{"title":"Distributed online optimization for multi-agent optimal transport","authors":"Vishaal Krishnan , Sonia Martínez","doi":"10.1016/j.automatica.2024.111880","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We propose a scalable, distributed algorithm for the optimal transport of large-scale multi-agent systems. We formulate the problem as one of steering the collective towards a target probability measure while minimizing the total cost of transport, with the additional constraint of distributed implementation. Using optimal transport theory, we realize the solution as an iterative transport based on a stochastic proximal descent scheme. At each stage of the transport, the agents implement an online, distributed primal–dual algorithm to obtain local estimates of the Kantorovich potential for optimal transport from the current distribution of the collective to the target distribution. Using these estimates as their local objective functions, the agents then implement the transport by stochastic proximal descent. This two-step process is carried out recursively by the agents to converge asymptotically to the target distribution. We rigorously establish the underlying theoretical framework and convergence of the algorithm and test its behavior in numerical experiments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":55413,"journal":{"name":"Automatica","volume":"171 ","pages":"Article 111880"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005109824003741/pdfft?md5=279afaa21d8e82d5ccefa238244d0e47&pid=1-s2.0-S0005109824003741-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Automatica","FirstCategoryId":"94","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005109824003741","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"AUTOMATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
We propose a scalable, distributed algorithm for the optimal transport of large-scale multi-agent systems. We formulate the problem as one of steering the collective towards a target probability measure while minimizing the total cost of transport, with the additional constraint of distributed implementation. Using optimal transport theory, we realize the solution as an iterative transport based on a stochastic proximal descent scheme. At each stage of the transport, the agents implement an online, distributed primal–dual algorithm to obtain local estimates of the Kantorovich potential for optimal transport from the current distribution of the collective to the target distribution. Using these estimates as their local objective functions, the agents then implement the transport by stochastic proximal descent. This two-step process is carried out recursively by the agents to converge asymptotically to the target distribution. We rigorously establish the underlying theoretical framework and convergence of the algorithm and test its behavior in numerical experiments.
期刊介绍:
Automatica is a leading archival publication in the field of systems and control. The field encompasses today a broad set of areas and topics, and is thriving not only within itself but also in terms of its impact on other fields, such as communications, computers, biology, energy and economics. Since its inception in 1963, Automatica has kept abreast with the evolution of the field over the years, and has emerged as a leading publication driving the trends in the field.
After being founded in 1963, Automatica became a journal of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) in 1969. It features a characteristic blend of theoretical and applied papers of archival, lasting value, reporting cutting edge research results by authors across the globe. It features articles in distinct categories, including regular, brief and survey papers, technical communiqués, correspondence items, as well as reviews on published books of interest to the readership. It occasionally publishes special issues on emerging new topics or established mature topics of interest to a broad audience.
Automatica solicits original high-quality contributions in all the categories listed above, and in all areas of systems and control interpreted in a broad sense and evolving constantly. They may be submitted directly to a subject editor or to the Editor-in-Chief if not sure about the subject area. Editorial procedures in place assure careful, fair, and prompt handling of all submitted articles. Accepted papers appear in the journal in the shortest time feasible given production time constraints.