arXiv:2506.03225cs.LGcs.AI2025-06被引 1

改进PBT算法,让强化学习更稳定高效

Multiple-Frequencies Population-Based Training

  • 用多频率子种群分层进化,避免盲目追求短期收益
  • 在Brax环境上样本效率提升,长期表现超越随机搜索
  • 适合需要稳定训练的RL实践者,尤其关注超参优化

强化学习对超参数敏感,导致训练不稳定且低效。超参数优化(HPO)方法如基于种群的训练(PBT)能生成动态超参数调度,但其频繁的评估与替换机制易陷入局部最优,长期性能反而不如随机搜索。本文分析该问题与进化频率的关系,提出多频率种群训练(MF-PBT),通过不同频率演化多个子种群,并设计不对称迁移机制在子种群间传递信息,平衡短期与长期优化。在Brax基准测试中,MF-PBT显著提升样本效率和长期性能,即使不主动调参也能实现优越表现。

原文摘要 · Abstract (English)

Reinforcement Learning's high sensitivity to hyperparameters is a source of instability and inefficiency, creating significant challenges for practitioners. Hyperparameter Optimization (HPO) algorithms have been developed to address this issue, among them Population-Based Training (PBT) stands out for its ability to generate hyperparameters schedules instead of fixed configurations. PBT trains a population of agents, each with its own hyperparameters, frequently ranking them and replacing the worst performers with mutations of the best agents. These intermediate selection steps can cause PBT to focus on short-term improvements, leading it to get stuck in local optima and eventually fall behind vanilla Random Search over longer timescales. This paper studies how this greediness issue is connected to the choice of evolution frequency, the rate at which the selection is done. We propose Multiple-Frequencies Population-Based Training (MF-PBT), a novel HPO algorithm that addresses greediness by employing sub-populations, each evolving at distinct frequencies. MF-PBT introduces a migration process to transfer information between sub-populations, with an asymmetric design to balance short and long-term optimization. Extensive experiments on the Brax suite demonstrate that MF-PBT improves sample efficiency and long-term performance, even without actually tuning hyperparameters.

强化学习超参优化PBT

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