Robust Approximation of Temporal CSP

A temporal constraint language G is a set of relations with first-order definitions in (Q; <). Let CSP(G) denote the set of constraint satisfaction problem instances with relations from G. CSP(G) admits robust approximation if, for any e >= 0, given a (1-e)-satisfiable instance of CSP(G), we can compute an assignment that satisfies at least a (1-f(e))-fraction of constraints in polynomial time. Here, f(e) is some function satisfying f(0)=0 and f(e) goes 0 as e goes 0. Firstly, we give a qualitative characterization of robust approximability: Assuming the Unique Games Conjecture, we give a necessary and sufficient condition on G under which CSP(G) admits robust approximation. Secondly, we give a quantitative characterization of robust approximability: Assuming the Unique Games Conjecture, we precisely characterize how f(e) depends on e for each G. We show that our robust approximation algorithms can be run in almost linear time.