simps

The method is based on iterations of full-dimensional simplex calls

SIMPS (StrategySimplex)-Constrained minimizer

The method is based on iterations of full-dimensional simplex calls (Nelder-Mead direct search method), each time followed by a series of two-dimensional simplex calls (local improvements by subspaces).

The inner full- and two-dimensional Nelder-Mead minimizers are realized through the calls to the internal AMOEBA function, based essentially on the Matlab's FMINS non-linear simplex implementation. The constraints are implemented by penalizing the target function.

The method provides clear advantage over the plain nonlinear simplex, and it has been proved to be specially useful for target functions with plenty of narrow local minima - standard traps for analitically based minimizers.

The method is not limited to continuos functions and does not require derivatives.

Additional help and information is available by calling HELP SIMPS, as well as looking into the documented code of M-files as included. A compete example GO.M is included, along with an exemplar target function FUN.M.

Authors:
Zeljko Bajzer ([e-mail]) and Ivo Penzar ([e-mail])
Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota, USA