Surrogate assisted local search in PMSM drive design

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a reliable local search algorithm having steepest descent pivot rule for computationally expensive optimization problems. In particular, an application to the design of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drives is shown.

Design/methodology/approach

A surrogate assisted Hooke‐Jeeves algorithm (SAHJA) is proposed. The SAHJA is a local search algorithm with the structure of the Hooke‐Jeeves algorithm, which employs a local surrogate model dynamically constructed during the exploratory move at each step of the optimization process.

Findings

Several numerical experiments have been designed. These experiments are carried out both on the simulation model (off‐line) and at the actual plant (on‐line). Moreover, the off‐line experiments have been considered in non‐noisy and noisy cases. The numerical results show that use of the SAHJA leads to a saving in terms of computational cost without requiring any extra hardware components.

Originality/value

The surrogate approach in the design of electric drives is novel. In addition, implementation of the proposed surrogate model allows the algorithm not only to reduce computational cost but also to filter noise caused by the sensors and measurement devices.

Citation

Neri, F., del Toro Garcia, X., Cascella, G.L. and Salvatore, N. (2008), "Surrogate assisted local search in PMSM drive design", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 573-592. https://doi.org/10.1108/03321640810861043