Application of ant colony and immune combined optimization algorithm in path planning of unmanned craft

Abstract

The ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is improved and further integrated with the immune algorithm (IA) to address its problems, such as slow convergence, local optimum, and premature convergence in the path planning. An algorithm integrating IA and improved ant colony optimization (IACO) is, therefore, put forward to realize the optimal planning of global path for an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). First, the ACO algorithm was improved in three aspects, that is, generation of initial pheromones, transition probability, and update of pheromones. The proposed IA-IACO algorithm combined the advantages of IA and IACO, sped up the convergence, and enhanced the optimization capability and operational efficiency. Second, the IA-IACO algorithm was designed and applied in the global path planning of an unmanned surface vehicle, achieving great global optimization and convergence. Finally, a path smoothing algorithm was devised to achieve the implementable, economic, and stable path while guaranteeing the safe navigation of the USV. A simulation test was carried out to prove the effectiveness and superiority of the designed global path planning algorithm in the practical engineering.