Optimization Toolbox    

Standard Algorithms


Overview

This chapter provides an introduction to the different optimization problem formulations and describes the medium-scale (i.e., standard) algorithms used in the toolbox functions. These algorithms have been chosen for their robustness and iterative efficiency. The choice of problem formulation (e.g., unconstrained, least squares, constrained, minimax, multiobjective, or goal attainment) depends on the problem being considered and the required execution efficiency.

This chapter is organized into these major topics.

Optimization Overview

Introduces optimization as a way of finding a set of parameters that can in some way be defined as optimal. These parameters are obtained by minimizing or maximizing an objective function, subject to equality or inequality constraints and/or parameter bounds.

Unconstrained Optimization

Discusses the use of quasi-Newton and line search methods for unconstrained optimization.

Quasi-Newton Implementation

Provides implementation details for the Hessian update and line search phases of the quasi-Newton algorithm used in fminunc.

Least Squares Optimization

Discusses the use of the Gauss-Newton and Levenberg-Marquardt methods for nonlinear least squares (LS) optimization.

Nonlinear Least Squares Implementation

Provides implementation details for the Gauss-Newton and Levenberg-Marquardt methods used in the nonlinear least squares optimization routines, lsqnonlin and lsqcurvefit.

Constrained Optimization

Discusses the use of the Kuhn-Tucker (KT) equations as the basis for Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) methods.

SQP Implementation

Provides implementation details for the Hessian matrix update, quadratic programming problem solution, and line search and merit function calculation phases of the SQP algorithm used in fmincon, fminimax, fgoalattain, and fseminf.

Multiobjective Optimization

Introduces multiobjective optimization and discusses strategies for dealing with competing objectives. It discusses in detail the use of the Goal Attainment method, and suggests improvements to the SQP method for use with the Goal Attainment method.

Selected Bibliography

Lists published materials that support concepts implemented in the medium-scale algorithms.


 Selected Bibliography Optimization Overview