Learn more about Genetic Algorithm and Direct Search Toolbox

Example — Finding the Minimum of a Function Using the GPS Algorithm

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Objective Function Finding the Minimum of the Function Plotting the Objective Function Values and Mesh Sizes

Objective Function

This example uses the objective function, ps_example, which is included with Genetic Algorithm and Direct Search Toolbox software. View the code for the function by entering

type ps_example

The following figure shows a plot of the function.

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Finding the Minimum of the Function

To find the minimum of ps_example, perform the following steps:

1. Enter

   optimtool

   and then choose the patternsearch solver.

2. In the Objective function field of the Optimization Tool, enter @ps_example.

3. In the Start point field, type [2.1 1.7].

   

   Leave the fields in the Constraints pane blank because the problem is unconstrained.

4. Click Start to run the pattern search.

The Run solver and view results pane displays the results of the pattern search.

The reason the optimization terminated is that the mesh size became smaller than the acceptable tolerance value for the mesh size, defined by the Mesh tolerance parameter in the Stopping criteria pane. The minimum function value is approximately –2. The Final point pane displays the point at which the minimum occurs.

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Plotting the Objective Function Values and Mesh Sizes

To see the performance of the pattern search, display plots of the best function value and mesh size at each iteration. First, select the following check boxes in the Plot functions pane:

• Best function value

• Mesh size

Then click Start to run the pattern search. This displays the following plots.

The upper plot shows the objective function value of the best point at each iteration. Typically, the objective function values improve rapidly at the early iterations and then level off as they approach the optimal value.

The lower plot shows the mesh size at each iteration. The mesh size increases after each successful iteration and decreases after each unsuccessful one, explained in How Pattern Search Works.

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Performing a Pattern Search

Pattern Search Terminology

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