Hybrid computer methods for direct functional optimization

Control and trajectory optimization involves the minimization of a performance index (PI) of integral form where some optimal control law exists in a dynamic system. In this paper, a hybrid minicomputer with an adaptive random-search algorithm implements an iterative search for the optimal control. The search assumes that some initial control is randomly perturbed and a fast analog computer generates respective PI from the analog response of the dynamic system. An improved PI informs the digital computer to utilize the perturbed control as a basis for the next iteration; otherwise a new perturbation replaces the old perturbation in the next iteration. The search terminates when no further improvements occur.