A modified genetic algorithm for system optimization

Abstract

PurposeIn this paper, the previously developed idea of generalized optimization of circuits for deterministic methods has been extended to genetic algorithm (GA) to demonstrate new possibilities for solving an optimization problem that enhance accuracy and significantly reduce computing time.Design/methodology/approachThe disadvantages of GAs are premature convergence to local minima and an increase in the computer operation time when setting a sufficiently high accuracy for obtaining the minimum. The idea of generalized optimization of circuits, previously developed for the methods of deterministic optimization, is built into the GA and allows one to implement various optimization strategies based on GA. The shape of the fitness function, as well as the length and structure of the chromosomes, is determined by a control vector artificially introduced within the framework of generalized optimization. This study found that changing the control vector that determines the method for calculating the fitness function makes it possible to bypass local minima and find the global minimum with high accuracy and a significant reduction in central processing unit (CPU) time.FindingsThe structure of the control vector is found, which makes it possible to reduce the CPU time by several orders of magnitude and increase the accuracy of the optimization process compared with the traditional approach for GAs.Originality/valueIt was demonstrated that incorporating the idea of generalized optimization into the body of a stochastic optimization method leads to qualitatively new properties of the optimization process, increasing the accuracy and minimizing the CPU time.