A theoretical analysis of the non-uniform mutation operator for the modified genetic algorithm

This paper presents a theoretical investigation of Michalewicz´s non-uniform mutation operator proposed for his modified variant of genetic algorithms modGA to tackle numerical parameter optimization problems. As is shown by mathematical analysis, the non-uniform mutation operator prefers parameter values in the center of the corresponding feasible region. This leads to problems if the optimum is situated near the boundaries of the feasible region. In order to avoid this undesirable tendency, an adaptive non-uniform mutation operator is proposed, the development of which rests on the mathematical analysis. Experimental results for a standard numerical parameter optimization problem are given that illustrate the superiority of this novel mutation operator