TRAJECTORY OPTIMIZATION BY METHOD OF STEEPEST DESCENT. VOLUME 1. FORMULATION
Abstract
Trajectory optimization by the method of steepest descent has been discussed in detail. The method has been generalized so that it has the ability to do the following: (1) Search for optimum initial values of the state variable; (2) Search for optimum time to stage; (3) Satisfy constraints which are functions of the state variable at the end of any stage; (4) Optimize functions of state variables at the end of any stage; (5) Search for optimum values of certain design parameters. A Generalized Steepest Descent computer program has been programmed for the CDC6000 Series Computer in the Fortran IV language. In its basic form the program is up to handle the three dimensional, point mass, vehicle flight path trajectory optimization problem. The program is capable of simultaneously handling up to fifteen state variables, six control variables and ten constraints. Most of the usual functions required in flight path studies are available within the program; others may be added as desired by simple program additions, providing the function or its derivative is defined analytically. The program may be readily extended to cover steepest descent optimization problems in other fields, by the replacement of the basic differential equation subroutine by any other set of equations of the same general type. Convergence to the optimal solution is obtained automatically by means of a control system which, by a series of logical decisions, obtains a reasonable perturbation magnitude at each iteration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0824793
Entities
People
- L. D. Peterson
Organizations
- McDonnell Aircraft Corporation