Optimization strategies for rapid centroid estimation

Particle swarm algorithm has been extensively utilized as a tool to solve optimization problems. Recently proposed particle swarm±based clustering algorithm called the Rapid Centroid Estimation (RCE) is a lightweight alteration to Particle Swarm Clustering (PSC). The RCE in its standard form is shown to be superior to conventional PSC algorithm. We have observed some limitations in RCE including the possibility to stagnate at a local minimum combination and the restriction in swarm size. We propose strategies to optimize RCE further by introducing RCE+ and swarm RCE+. Five benchmark datasets from UCI machine learning database are used to test the performance of these new strategies. In Glass dataset swarm RCE+ is able to achieve highest purity centroid combinations with less iteration (90.3%±1.1% in 9±5 iterations) followed by RCE+ (89%±3.5% in 65±62 iterations) and RCE (87%±5.9% in 54±44). Similar quality is also reflected in other benchmark datasets including Iris, Wine, Breast Cancer, and Diabetes.