Method and apparatus for optimization

A method comprising:

• obtaining a first set of binary variables and a second set of binary variables;
• providing information regarding interactions between binary variables of the first set and binary variables of the second set;
• providing an inverse temperature value;
• calculating a change of a local energy of a binary variable of the first set if the binary variable were flipped on the basis of the inverse temperature value and the interactions between the binary variable of the first set and binary variables of the second set;
• calculating a probability on the basis of the change of the local energy;
• comparing the probability to a random value to determine whether to accept the flipping of the binary variable of the first set;
• and
• if the comparison indicates that the flipping can be accepted, flipping the value of the binary variable of the first set.

A computer readable storage medium stored with code thereon for use by an apparatus, which when executed by a processor, causes the apparatus to perform:

• obtain a first set of binary variables and a second set of binary variables;
• provide information regarding interactions between binary variables of the first set and binary variables of the second set;
• provide an inverse temperature value;
• calculate a change of a local energy of a binary variable of the first set if the binary variable were flipped on the basis of the inverse temperature value and the interactions between the binary variable of the first set and binary variables of the second set;
• calculate a probability on the basis of the change of the local energy;
• compare the probability to a random value to determine whether to accept the flipping of the binary variable of the first set;
• and
• if the comparison indicates that the flipping can be accepted, flip the value of the binary variable of the first set.