In this paper we extend the knowledge on the problem of empirically searching for sorting networks of minimal depth. We present new search space pruning techniques for the last four levels of a candidate sorting network by considering only the output set representation of a network. We present an algorithm for checking whether an @math -input sorting network of depth @math exists by considering the minimal up to permutation and reflection itemsets at each level and using the pruning at the last four levels. We experimentally evaluated this algorithm to find the optimal depth sorting networks for all @math .
Our algorithm and all related techniques are developed independently of that of Bundala @cite_7 and Codish @cite_3 @cite_0 . Using our program, we manage to prove the optimal sorting networks for all @math . Although, the approach presented in this paper significantly differs from that of Bundala; instead of using a generic SAT solver, our method studies details about the structure of sorting networks and gives much more enriched answer to the yes no question being asked ('does there exists and @math -input sorting network of depth @math ?'). We give more insight on the candidates that are needed to be considered at each level --- also referred to as complete set of filters @math for comparator networks of @math @cite_4 .
@cite_0 @cite_3 @cite_4 @cite_7
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We prove depth optimality of sorting networks from "The Art of Computer Programming".Sorting networks posses symmetry that can be used to generate a few representatives.These representatives can be efficiently encoded using regular expressions.We construct SAT formulas whose unsatisfiability is sufficient to show optimality.Resulting algorithm is orders of magnitude faster than prior work on small instances. We solve a 40-year-old open problem on depth optimality of sorting networks. In 1973, Donald E. Knuth detailed sorting networks of the smallest depth known for n ź 16 inputs, quoting optimality for n ź 8 (Volume 3 of "The Art of Computer Programming"). In 1989, Parberry proved optimality of networks with 9 ź n ź 10 inputs. We present a general technique for obtaining such results, proving optimality of the remaining open cases of 11 ź n ź 16 inputs. Exploiting symmetry, we construct a small set R n of two-layer networks such that: if there is a depth-k sorting network on n inputs, then there is one whose first layers are in R n . For each network in R n , we construct a propositional formula whose satisfiability is necessary for the existence of a depth-k sorting network. Using an off-the-shelf SAT solver we prove optimality of the sorting networks listed by Knuth. For n ź 10 inputs, our algorithm is orders of magnitude faster than prior ones. A complete set of filters @math for the optimal-depth @math -input sorting network problem is such that if there exists an @math -input sorting network of depth @math then there exists one of the form @math for some @math . Previous work on the topic presents a method for finding complete set of filters @math and @math that consists only of networks of depths one and two respectively, whose outputs are minimal and representative up to permutation and reflection. We present a novel practical approach for finding a complete set of filters @math containing only networks of depth three whose outputs are minimal and representative up to permutation and reflection. In previous work, we have developed a highly efficient algorithm for finding extremal sets ( i.e. outputs of comparator networks; itemsets; ) up to permutation. In this paper we present a modification to this algorithm that identifies the representative itemsets up to permutation and reflection. Hence, the here presented practical approach is the successful combination of known theory and practice that we apply to the domain of sorting networks. For all @math , we empirically compute the complete set of filters @math of the representative minimal up to permutation and reflection @math -input networks of depth three. It is demonstrated that there is no nine-input sorting network of depth six. The proof was obtained by executing on a supercomputer a branch-and-bound algorithm which constructs and tests a critical subset of all possible candidates. Such proofs can be classified as experimental science, rather than mathematics. In keeping with the paradigms of experimental science, a high-level description of the experiment and analysis of the result are given. We study computationally hard combinatorial problems arising from the important engineering question of how to maximize the number of connections that can be simultaneously served in a wavelength division ultiplexing (WDM) optical network. In such networks, WDM technology can satisfy a set of connections by computing a route and assigning a wavelength to each connection so that no two connections routed through the same fiber are assigned the same wavelength. Each fiber supports a limited number of @math wavelengths and in order to fully exploit the parallelism provided by the technology, one should select a set of connections of maximum cardinality which can be satisfied using the available wavelengths. This is known as the maximum routing and path coloring (maxRPC) problem. Our main contribution is a general analysis method for a class of iterative algorithms for a more general coloring problem. A lower bound on the benefit of the solution computed by such an algorithm in terms of the optimal benefit and the number of available wavelengths is given by a benefit-revealing linear program. We apply this method to maxRPC in both undirected and bidirected rings to obtain upper bounds on the approximation ratio of several algorithms. The best bounds obtained are @math and @math for undirected and bidirected rings; these results improve known bounds of @math and @math , respectively. Our results extend to multifiber ring networks and also apply to the maximum path coloring (maxPC) problem, where paths instead of connection requests are given as part of the input. We also study the profit version of maxPC in rings where each path has a profit and the objective is to satisfy a set of paths of maximum total profit. We present an algorithm based on linear programming and randomized rounding with approximation ratio 1.49015, improving on the @math bound obtained by a simple iterative algorithm.