Approximation algorithms for degree-constrained bipartite network flow

Abstract

We consider a tool- and setup-constrained short-term capacity allocation problem that arises in operational level planning at a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. We formulate this problem as a degree-constrained network flow problem on a bipartite graph. We show that the problem is NP-hard and propose the first constant factor (1/2) approximation algorithms. Experimental study demonstrates that, in practice, our algorithms give solutions that are on the average less than 1.5% away from the optimal solution in less than a second. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.