Solving a placement problem by means of an analog neural network

The effectiveness of the Hopfield model is examined through its application to a circuit block placement problem. The results of computer simulation show that, although the Hopfield model is not effective enough if it is used without sophisticated preexamination of combinatorial problems, it has the ability to yield quite satisfactory solutions when it is endowed with an appropriate form and parameters of the energy function. The meaning of appropriate parameter values yielding good solutions is also investigated theoretically.< >