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dc.contributor.advisorDavid R. Wallace.en_US
dc.contributor.authorNolan, Michael K. (Michael Kevin)en_US
dc.contributor.otherSystem Design and Management Program.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2006-12-18T20:41:36Z
dc.date.available2006-12-18T20:41:36Z
dc.date.copyright2003en_US
dc.date.issued2005en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/35105
dc.descriptionThesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, September 2005.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (p. 124-126).en_US
dc.description.abstractComputational design optimization is challenging when the number of variables becomes large. One method of addressing this problem is to use pattern recognition to decrease the solution space in which the optimizer searches. Human "common sense" is used by designers to narrow the scope of search to a confined area defined by patterns conforming to likely solution candidates. However, computer-based optimization generally does not apply similar heuristics. In this thesis, a system is presented that recognizes patterns and adjusts its search for optimal solutions based on performance associations with these patterns. A design problem was selected that requires the optimization algorithm to assess designs that evolve over time. A small sensor network design is evolved into a larger sensor network design. Optimal design solutions for the small network do not necessarily lead to optimal design solutions for the larger network. Systems that are well-positioned to evolve have characteristics that distinguish themselves from systems that are not well-positioned to evolve. In this study, a neural network was able to recognize a pattern whereby flexible sensor networks evolved more successfully than less flexible networks.en_US
dc.description.abstract(cont.) The optimizing algorithm used this pattern to select candidate systems that showed promise for successful evolution. In this limited exploratory study, a genetic algorithm assisted by a neural network achieved better performance than an unassisted genetic algorithm did. In a Pareto front analysis, the assisted genetic algorithm yielded three times the number of optimal "non-dominated" solutions as the unassisted genetic algorithm did. It realized these results in one quarter the CPU time. This thesis uses a sensor network example to establish the merit of neural network use in multi-objective system design optimization and to lay a basis for future study.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Michael K. Nolan.en_US
dc.format.extent126 p.en_US
dc.format.extent6238777 bytes
dc.format.extent6245015 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherMassachusetts Institute of Technologyen_US
dc.rightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.urihttp://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
dc.subjectSystem Design and Management Program.en_US
dc.titleOptimal design of systems that evolve over time using neural networksen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeS.M.en_US
dc.contributor.departmentSystem Design and Management Program.en_US
dc.identifier.oclc71358125en_US


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