Which optimization tool to use?

Hello, I am currently new to matlab optimization tool. I have a problem statement but I don't know which tool to use.

Problem Statement - An object (two mass with spring, damper attached between them) with given initial position and velocity. Now I need to find the optimum deceleration such that it does not exceed a particular value also there are some condition on the distance between the two masses, rate of change of displacement between and some other parameters.

What I have done - Using pen & paper I have developed basic kinematics equation, and constraints. Now acceleration varies with time (can be assumed constant for a time step). So, if have 100 different time steps i will have 100 different acceleration values.

Someone suggested that sequential quadratic programing will be helpful? (is it?) I have seen some videos on youtube but I still don't know how to use it for different time steps. the acceleration for the i th time step will give displacement, velocity for (i+1) th time step; which in turn will be used to predict acceleration for (i+1) th time step.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

[Torsten]

http://tomopt.com/tomlab/products/propt/

Best wishes

Torsten.

Answer 2

[Alan Weiss]

You might find a similar sort of problem formulation in this example. You can use fmincon to solve this kind of problem. Your nonlinear constraint is that "it does not exceed a particular value" (whatever "it" is).

Good luck,

Alan Weiss

MATLAB mathematical toolbox documentation