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Results for “Second-order optimization”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 73 records · Page 4

Analysis and design of an adaptive multi-loop controlled two winding buck/boost regulator

Small signal low frequency linear average model is derived for a multi-loop controlled two-winding buck/boost converter employing average techniques and the describing function method. The model reveals that a well-designed multi-loop control can provide a second-order zero adaptive to output filter parameter changes due to component tolerances, temperature changes, aging, and the effect of duty cycle modulation. It also can provide stabilization effect by shifting the positive zero to the left-half S-plane. Design guidelines are formulated to optimize regulator-loop dependent characteristics.

Mahmoud, M. F.↗

Criteria for the optimal design of experimental tests

Some of the basic concepts are unified that were developed for the problem of finding optimal approximating functions which relate a set of controlled variables to a measurable response. The techniques have the potential for reducing the amount of testing required in experimental investigations. Specifically, two low-order polynomial models are considered as approximations to unknown functionships. For each model, optimal means of designing experimental tests are presented which, for a modest number of measurements, yield prediction equations that minimize the error of an estimated response anywhere inside a selected region of experimentation. Moreover, examples are provided for both models to illustrate their use. Finally, an analysis of a second-order prediction equation is given to illustrate ways of determining maximum or minimum responses inside the experimentation region.

Canavos, G. C.↗

Algorithm For Optimal Control Of Large Structures

Cost of computation appears competitive with other methods. Problem to compute optimal control of forced response of structure with n degrees of freedom identified in terms of smaller number, r, of vibrational modes. Article begins with Hamilton-Jacobi formulation of mechanics and use of quadratic cost functional. Complexity reduced by alternative approach in which quadratic cost functional expressed in terms of control variables only. Leads to iterative solution of second-order time-integral matrix Volterra equation of second kind containing optimal control vector. Cost of algorithm, measured in terms of number of computations required, is of order of, or less than, cost of prior algoritms applied to similar problems.

Salama, Moktar A.↗

Volume 2: Explicit, multistage upwind schemes for Euler and Navier-Stokes equations

The objective of this study was to develop a high-resolution-explicit-multi-block numerical algorithm, suitable for efficient computation of the three-dimensional, time-dependent Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. The resulting algorithm has employed a finite volume approach, using monotonic upstream schemes for conservation laws (MUSCL)-type differencing to obtain state variables at cell interface. Variable interpolations were written in the k-scheme formulation. Inviscid fluxes were calculated via Roe's flux-difference splitting, and van Leer's flux-vector splitting techniques, which are considered state of the art. The viscous terms were discretized using a second-order, central-difference operator. Two classes of explicit time integration has been investigated for solving the compressible inviscid/viscous flow problems--two-state predictor-corrector schemes, and multistage time-stepping schemes. The coefficients of the multistage time-stepping schemes have been modified successfully to achieve better performance with upwind differencing. A technique was developed to optimize the coefficients for good high-frequency damping at relatively high CFL numbers. Local time-stepping, implicit residual smoothing, and multigrid procedure were added to the explicit time stepping scheme to accelerate convergence to steady-state. The developed algorithm was implemented successfully in a multi-block code, which provides complete topological and geometric flexibility. The only requirement is C degree continuity of the grid across the block interface. The algorithm has been validated on a diverse set of three-dimensional test cases of increasing complexity. The cases studied were: (1) supersonic corner flow; (2) supersonic plume flow; (3) laminar and turbulent flow over a flat plate; (4) transonic flow over an ONERA M6 wing; and (5) unsteady flow of a compressible jet impinging on a ground plane (with and without cross flow). The emphasis of the test cases was validation of code, and assessment of performance, as well as demonstration of flexibility.

Elmiligui, Alaa↗

Helicopter trajectory planning using optimal control theory

A methodology for optimal trajectory planning, useful in the nap-of-the-earth guidance of helicopters, is presented. This approach uses an adjoint-control transformation along with a one-dimensional search scheme for generating the optimal trajectories. In addition to being useful for helicopter nap-of-the-earth guidance, the trajectory planning solution is of interest in several other contexts, such as robotic vehicle guidance and terrain-following guidance for cruise missiles and aircraft. A distinguishing feature of the present research is that the terrain constraint and the threat envelopes are incorporated in the equations of motion. Second-order necessary conditions are examined.

Menon, P. K. A.↗

Discrete Kalman filtering equations of second-order form for control-structure interaction simulations

A second-order form of discrete Kalman filtering equations is proposed as a candidate state estimator for efficient simulations of control-structure interactions in coupled physical coordinate configurations as opposed to decoupled modal coordinates. The resulting matrix equation of the present state estimator consists of the same symmetric, sparse N x N coupled matrices of the governing structural dynamics equations as opposed to unsymmetric 2N x 2N state space-based estimators. Thus, in addition to substantial computational efficiency improvement, the present estimator can be applied to control-structure design optimization for which the physical coordinates associated with the mass, damping and stiffness matrices of the structure are needed instead of modal coordinates.

Park, K. C.↗

On optimizing the treatment of exchange perturbations.

Most theories of exchange perturbations would give the exact energy and wave function if carried out to an infinite order. However, the different methods give different values for the second-order energy, and different values for E(1), the expectation value of the Hamiltonian corresponding to the zeroth- plus first-order wave function. In the presented paper, it is shown that the zeroth- plus first-order wave function obtained by optimizing the basic equation which is used in most exchange perturbation treatments is the exact wave function for the perturbation system and E(1) is the exact energy.

Hirschfelder, J. O.↗

Optimal estimation and attitude control of a solar electric propulsion spacecraft

Established procedures of linear, quadratic, Gaussian optimal estimation and control are developed and interpreted for their application to the problem of attitude control of spacecraft with dynamically significant elastic appendages. Results are presented both in general terms and for specific application to a solar electric spacecraft. Comparisons are made between alternative coordinate systems, and a realistic range of design parameters is considered. For single axis control, system evaluation is accomplished by simulation of a fifteenth-order spacecraft plant with alternative second-order, fourth-order, and sixth-order constant gain estimators. Results point out the importance of modeling errors.

Larson, V.↗

Optimum sensitivity derivatives of objective functions in nonlinear programming

The feasibility of eliminating second derivatives from the input of optimum sensitivity analyses of optimization problems is demonstrated. This elimination restricts the sensitivity analysis to the first-order sensitivity derivatives of the objective function. It is also shown that when a complete first-order sensitivity analysis is performed, second-order sensitivity derivatives of the objective function are available at little additional cost. An expression is derived whose application to linear programming is presented.

Barthelemy, J.-F. M.↗

Efficient calculation of optimum design sensitivity

Two methods for obtaining the sensitivity of an optimized design to changes in problem parameters are presented. The first-order method uses gradient information to estimate the required sensitivity. The second-order method uses second derivatives of the design objective and constraint functions to provide a quadratic approximation to the new design which results from changing the specified parameter. It is shown that the sensitivity of the optimized design may be discontinuous with respect to the new parameter. This discontinuity is accounted for in the present methods. These methods are compared to a previous approach based on the Kuhn-Tucker necessary conditions for optimality. It is shown that the present methods provide the appropriate sensitivity information in an efficient manner. The methods are demonstrated by a structural synthesis example.

Vanderplaats, G. N.↗

A method to stabilize linear systems using eigenvalue gradient information

Formal optimization methods and eigenvalue gradient information are used to develop a stabilizing control law for a closed loop linear system that is initially unstable. The method was originally formulated by using direct, constrained optimization methods with the constraints being the real parts of the eigenvalues. However, because of problems in trying to achieve stabilizing control laws, the problem was reformulated to be solved differently. The method described uses the Davidon-Fletcher-Powell minimization technique to solve an indirect, constrained minimization problem in which the performance index is the Kreisselmeier-Steinhauser function of the real parts of all the eigenvalues. The method is applied successfully to solve two different problems: the determination of a fourth-order control law stabilizes a single-input single-output active flutter suppression system and the determination of a second-order control law for a multi-input multi-output lateral-directional flight control system. Various sets of design variables and initial starting points were chosen to show the robustness of the method.

Wieseman, C. D.↗

First and second order convex approximation strategies in structural optimization

In this paper, various methods based on convex approximation schemes are discussed that have demonstrated strong potential for efficient solution of structural optimization problems. First, the convex linearization method (Conlin) is briefly described, as well as one of its recent generalizations, the method of moving asymptotes (MMA). Both Conlin and MMA can be interpreted as first-order convex approximation methods that attempt to estimate the curvature of the problem functions on the basis of semiempirical rules. Attention is next directed toward methods that use diagonal second derivatives in order to provide a sound basis for building up high-quality explicit approximations of the behavior constraints. In particular, it is shown how second-order information can be effectively used without demanding a prohibitive computational cost. Various first-order and second-order approaches are compared by applying them to simple problems that have a closed form solution.

Fleury, C.↗

Integrated analysis and design for controlled nonlinear multibody systems

A hybrid approach for integrated analysis and design of nonlinear multibody systems is proposed. Based on the approach, a general-purpose design tool is developed for nonlinear dynamic systems subjected to nonlinear design constraints. For analysis purposes, second-order nonlinear equations of motion of the system are automatically generated using general-purpose multibody formulations. Once the equations are solved, they are written in first-order form to take advantage of the first-order formulations of design sensitivity analysis for dynamic systems. A nonlinear programming technique is then used to optimize the nonlinear systems, such that a nonlinear cost function is minimized and performance constraints are satisfied. The approach proved to be very general and useful for design and analysis of controlled multibody systems. The approach is applied to the design of passive dynamic controllers for slewing control of multibody systems.

Wu, Shih-Chin↗

Sufficient conditions for a local minimum of the Bolza problem with a scalar terminal point constraint

Sufficient conditions for a weak relative minimum for a form of the Bolza problem of variational calculus are derived. Testing of the second-order conditions requires the backward integration of fewer matrix elements than in the case of most previously published sets of conditions. The derivation is felt to be more complete and straightforward than previous derivations. The variational problem considered is relatively simple, with just a scalar constraint to implicitly or explicitly determine the final time, in order to avoid the complexities associated with controllability considerations. Sufficient conditions for a local minimum for more general optimal control problems can be approached by building upon the derivation and results presented here.

Wood, Lincoln J.↗

An optimized finite-difference scheme for wave propagation problems

Two fully-discrete finite-difference schemes for wave propagation problems are presented, a maximum-order scheme and an optimized (or spectral-like) scheme. Both combine a seven-point spatial operator and an explicit six-stage time-march method. The maximum-order operator is fifth-order in space and is sixth-order in time for a linear problem with periodic boundary conditions. The phase and amplitude errors of the schemes obtained using Fourier analysis are given and compared with a second-order and a fourth-order method. Numerical experiments are presented which demonstrate the usefulness of the schemes for a range of problems. For some problems, the optimized scheme leads to a reduction in global error compared to the maximum-order scheme with no additional computational expense.

Zingg, D. W.↗