Parameterized Algorithms for Constraint Satisfaction Problems Above Average with Global Cardinality Constraints

Abstract

Given a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) on $n$ variables, $x_1, x_2, \dots, x_n \in \{\pm 1\}$, and $m$ constraints, a global cardinality constraint has the form of $\sum_{i = 1}^{n} x_i = (1-2p)n$, where $p \in (Ω(1), 1 - Ω(1))$ and $pn$ is an integer. Let $AVG$ be the expected number of constraints satisfied by randomly choosing an assignment to $x_1, x_2, \dots, x_n$, complying with the global cardinality constraint. The CSP above average with the global cardinality constraint problem asks whether there is an assignment (complying with the cardinality constraint) that satisfies more than $(AVG+t)$ constraints, where $t$ is an input parameter. In this paper, we present an algorithm that finds a valid assignment satisfying more than $(AVG+t)$ constraints (if there exists one) in time $(2^{O(t^2)} + n^{O(d)})$. Therefore, the CSP above average with the global cardinality constraint problem is fixed-parameter tractable.