Neural network for optimal steiner tree computation

Abstract

Hopfield neural network model for finding the shortest path between two nodes in a graph was proposed recently in some literatures. In this paper, we present a modified version of Hopfield model to a more general problem of searching an optimal tree (least total cost tree) from a source node to a number of destination nodes in a graph. This problem is called Steiner tree in graph theory, where it is proved to be a NP-complete. Through computer simulations, it is shown that the proposed model could always find an optimal or near-optimal valid solution in various graphs.