On the Utility of Island Models in Dynamic Optimization

A simple island model with λ islands and migration occurring after every τ iterations is studied on the dynamic fitness function Maze. This model is equivalent to a (1+λ) EA if τ=1, i.e., migration occurs during every iteration. It is proved that even for an increased offspring population size up to λ=O(n1-ε), the (1+λ) EA is still not able to track the optimum of Maze.

If the migration interval is increased, the algorithm is able to track the optimum even for logarithmic λ. Finally, the relationship of τ, λ, and the ability of the island model to track the optimum is investigated more closely.