Optimisation Algorithms for Highly Parallel Computer Architectures

Abstract

This paper considers the design of optimization algorithms to run efficiently on highly parallel computer architectures. Most efficient optimization algorithms require the calculation of first and possibly second derivatives of the objective function and where present the constraints. This task normally dominates all other tasks undertaken in solving a large sized problem. The other main task is usually the solution of a set of linear equations. In this paper the authors describe our experience of solving these two tasks on parallel computer architecture. A sparse forward implementation of doublet and triplet automatic differentiation is described that enables both the gradient and hessian of objective functions to be accurately and cheaply solved. It is shown that when the function is partially separable this can be performed very effectively on a parallel machine. The effect of solving sets of linear equations on a parallel system is also described, and the two then combined in effective algorithms for both unconstrained and constrained optimization.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA235911

Entities

People

  • L. C. Dixon
  • R. C. Price

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Computations
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Languages
  • Computers
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Families (Human)
  • Linear Algebra
  • Navier Stokes Equations
  • Optimization
  • Parallel Computing
  • Parallel Processing
  • Sparse Matrix
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Operations Research
  • Systems Analysis and Design