Book Description

Global Optimization Toolbox provides functions that search for global solutions to problems that contain multiple maxima or minima. Toolbox solvers include surrogate, pattern search, genetic algorithm, particle swarm, simulated annealing, multi start, and global search. You can use these solvers for optimization problems where the objective or constraint function is continuous, discontinuous, stochastic, does not possess derivatives, or includes simulations or black-box functions. For problems with multiple objectives, you can identify a Pareto front using genetic algorithm or pattern search solvers. You can improve solver effective es by adjusting options and, for applicable solvers, customizing creation, update, and search functions. You can use custom data types with the genetic algorithm and simulated annealing solvers to represent problems not easily expressed with standard data types. The hybrid function option lets you improve a solution by applying a second solver after the first.Global Optimization Toolbox functions include three direct search algorithms called the generalized pattern search (GPS) algorithm, the generating set search (GSS) algorithm, and the mesh adaptive search (MADS) algorithm. All are pattern search algorithms that compute a sequence of points that approach an optimal point. At each step, the algorithm searches a set of points, called a mesh, around the current point-the point computed at the previous step of the algorithm. The mesh is formed by adding the current point to a scalar multiple of a set of vectors called a pattern. If the pattern search algorithm finds a point in the mesh that improves the objective function at the current point, the new point becomes the current point at the next step of the algorithm.The GPS algorithm uses fixed direction vectors. The GSS algorithm is identical to the GPS algorithm, except when there are linear constraints, and when the current point is near a linear constraint boundary. The MADS algorithm uses a random selection of vectors to define the mesh.A surrogate is a function that approximates an objective function. The surrogate is useful because it takes little time to evaluate.Multiobjective optimization is concerned with the minimization of a vector of objectives F(x) that can be the subject of a number of constraints or bounds.In Big Data problems Parallel Processing is an attractive way to speed optimization algorithms. To use parallel processing, you must have a Parallel Computing Toolbox license, and have a parallel worker pool (parpool).This book develops the advanced functions of Matlab for optimization through examples