Some topics on deterministic scheduling problems

Author

Yumei Huo, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

Spring 5-31-2005

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Sciences - (Ph.D.)

Department

Computer Science

First Advisor

Joseph Y-T. Leung

Second Advisor

Artur Czumaj

Third Advisor

Alexandros V. Gerbessiotis

Fourth Advisor

Marvin K. Nakayama

Fifth Advisor

Michael Pinedo

Abstract

Sequencing and scheduling problems are motivated by allocation of limited resources over time. The goal is to find an optimal allocation where optimality is defined by some problem specific objectives.

This dissertation considers the scheduling of a set of ri tasks, with precedence constraints, on m >= 1 identical and parallel processors so as to minimize the makespan. Specifically, it considers the situation where tasks, along with their precedence constraints, are released at different times, and the scheduler has to make scheduling decisions without knowledge of future releases. Both preemptive and nonpreemptive schedules are considered. This dissertation shows that optimal online algorithms exist for some cases, while for others it is impossible to have one. The results give a sharp boundary delineating the possible and the impossible cases.

Then an O(n log n)-time implementation is given for the algorithm which solves P|p_j = 1, r_j, outtree| ΣC_j and P|pmtn, p_j=1,r_j,outtree|ΣC_j.

A fundamental problem in scheduling theory is that of scheduling a set of n unit-execution-time (UET) tasks, with precedence constraints, on m > 1 parallel and identical processors so as to minimize the mean flow time. For arbitrary precedence constraints, this dissertation gives a 2-approximation algorithm. For intrees, a 1.5-approximation algorithm is given.

Six dual criteria problems are also considered in this dissertation. Two open problems are first solved. Both problems are single machine scheduling problems with the number of tardy jobs as the primary criterion and with the total completion time and the total tardiness as the secondary criterion, respectively. Both problems are shown to be NP-hard. Then it focuses on bi-criteria scheduling problems involving the number of tardy jobs, the maximum weighted tardiness and the maximum tardiness. NP-hardness proofs are given for the scheduling problems when the number of tardy jobs is the primary criterion and the maximum weighted tardiness is the secondary criterion, or vice versa. It then considers complexity relationships between the various problems, gives polynomial-time algorithms for some special cases, and proposes fast heuristics for the general case.

Recommended Citation

Huo, Yumei, "Some topics on deterministic scheduling problems" (2005). Dissertations. 698.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/698