• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.287-296
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• 2016

Conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods are ineffective under partially shaded conditions because multiple local maximum can be exhibited on power-voltage characteristic curve. This study proposes an improved cuckoo search (ICS) MPPT method after investigating the cuckoo search (CS) algorithm applied in solving multiple MPPT. The algorithm eliminates the random step in the original CS algorithm, and the conception of low-power, high-power, normal and marked zones are introduced. The adaptive step adjustment is also realized according to the different stages of the nest position. This algorithm adopts the large step in low-power and marked zones to reduce search time, and a small step in high-power zone is used to improve search accuracy. Finally, simulation and experiment results indicate that the promoted ICS algorithm can immediately and accurately track the global maximum under partially shaded conditions, and the array output efficiency can be improved.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.289-303
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• 2015

This study presents a strategy so-called Subspace Search Mechanism (SSM) for reducing the computational time for convergence of population based metaheusristic algorithms. The selected metaheuristic for this study is the Cuckoo Search algorithm (CS) dealing with size optimization of trusses. The complexity of structural optimization problems can be partially due to the presence of high-dimensional design variables. SSM approach aims to reduce dimension of the problem. Design variables are categorized to predefined groups (subspaces). SSM focuses on the multiple use of the metaheuristic at hand for each subspace. Optimizer updates the design variables for each subspace independently. Updating rules require candidate designs evaluation. Each candidate design is the assemblage of responsible set of design variables that define the subspace of interest. SSM is incorporated to the Cuckoo Search algorithm for size optimizing of three small, moderate and large space trusses. Optimization results indicate that SSM enables the CS to work with less number of population (42%), as a result reducing the time of convergence, in exchange for some accuracy (1.5%). It is shown that the loss of accuracy can be lessened with increasing the order of complexity. This suggests its applicability to other algorithms and other complex finite element-based engineering design problems.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.87-103
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• 2016

This paper adopts and investigates the non-dominated sorting approach for extending the single-objective Cuckoo Search (CS) into a multi-objective framework. The proposed approach uses an archive composed of primary and secondary population to select and keep the non-dominated solutions at each generation instead of pairwise analogy used in the original Multi-objective Cuckoo Search (MOCS). Our simulations show that such a low computational complexity approach can enrich CS to incorporate multi-objective needs instead of considering multiple eggs for cuckoos used in the original MOCS. The proposed MOCS is tested on a set of multi-objective optimization problems and two well-studied engineering design optimization problems. Compared to MOCS and some other available multi-objective algorithms such as NSGA-II, our approach is found to be competitive while benefiting simplicity. Moreover, the proposed approach is simpler and is capable of finding a wide spread of solutions with good coverage and convergence to true Pareto optimal fronts.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.57-65
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• 2015

Manufacturing optimization problem is to find the optimal solution under satisfying various and complicated constraints with the design variables of nonlinear types. To achieve the objective, this paper proposes a hybrid approach. The proposed hybrid approach is consist of genetic algorithm(GA), cuckoo search(CS) and hill climbing method(HCM). First, the GA is used for global search. Secondly, the CS is adapted to overcome the weakness of GA search. Lastly, the HCM is applied to search precisely the convergence space after the GA and CS search. In experimental comparison, various types of manufacturing optimization problems are used for comparing the efficiency between the proposed hybrid approach and other conventional competing approaches using various measures of performance. The experimental result shows that the proposed hybrid approach outperforms the other conventional competing approaches.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2014

Engineering applications of global optimization techniques are recently abundant in the literature and it may be caused by both new methodologies arising and faster computers coming out. Many of the optimization techniques are based on natural or biological phenomena. This study put focus on enhancing the performace of Cuckoo Search (CS) among them since it has the least number of parameters to tune. The proposed enhancement can be achieved by applying surrogate-based optimization at every cycle of CS, which fortifies the exploitation capability of the original method. The enhanced algorithm has been applied several engineering design problems with constraints. The proposed method shows comparable or superior performance to the original method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1458-1466
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• 2019

Multilevel inverters have appeared as a successful and utilitarian solution in many power applications. The prime objective of an inverter is to keep the fundamental component of the output voltage of a multilevel inverter at a preferred value. Equally important is the need to keep the harmonic components in the output voltage within stated harmonic limits. Therefore, the basis of this research is to develop a harmonic minimization function that optimizes the switching angles of cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter. Due to benefits of the Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm, it is applied to determine the switching angles, which are further used to generate the switching pattern for firing the H-bridges of multilevel inverter. Simulation results are compared with SPWM based firing scheme. The switching frequency for SPWM firing scheme is taken as 200 Hz since the switching losses are increased when switching frequency is high. To validate the ability of Cuckoo Search optimized firing scheme in minimization of harmonics, experimental results obtained from hardware prototype of Five Level Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter equipped with a FPGA controller are presented to verify the simulation results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.163-179
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• 2016

The Cuckoo search (CS) algorithm is a simple and efficient global optimization algorithm and it has been applied to figure out large range of real-world optimization problem. In this paper, a new formula is introduced to the discovering probability process to improve the convergence rate and the Tournament Selection Strategy is adopted to enhance global search ability of the certain algorithm. Then an approach for structural damage identification based on modified Cuckoo search (MCS) is presented. Meanwhile, we take frequency residual error and the modal assurance criterion (MAC) as indexes of damage detection in view of the crack damage, and the MCS algorithm is utilized to identifying the structural damage. A simply supported beam and a 31-bar truss are studied as numerical example to illustrate the correctness and efficiency of the propose method. Besides, a laboratory work is also conducted to further verification. Studies show that, the proposed method can judge the damage location and degree of structures more accurately than its counterpart even under measurement noise, which demonstrates the MCS algorithm has a higher damage diagnosis precision.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.705-719
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• 2014

Composite steel-concrete box girders are frequently used in bridge construction for their economic and structural advantages. An integrated metaheuristic based optimization procedure is proposed for discrete size optimization of straight multi-span steel box girders with the objective of minimizing the self-weight of girder. The metaheuristic algorithm of choice is the Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm. The optimum design of a box girder is characterized by geometry, serviceability and ultimate limit states specified by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Size optimization of a practical design example investigates the efficiency of this optimization approach and leads to around 15% of saving in material.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2019

Optimizing composite structures to exploit their maximum potential is a realistic application with promising returns. In this research, simultaneous maximization of the fundamental frequency and frequency separation between the first two modes by optimizing the fiber angles is considered. A high-fidelity design optimization methodology is developed by combining the high-accuracy of finite element method with iterative improvement capability of metaheuristic algorithms. Three powerful nature-inspired optimization algorithms viz. a genetic algorithm (GA), a particle swarm optimization (PSO) variant and a cuckoo search (CS) variant are used. Advanced memetic features are incorporated in the PSO and CS to form their respective variants-RPSOLC (repulsive particle swarm optimization with local search and chaotic perturbation) and CHP (co-evolutionary host-parasite). A comprehensive set of benchmark solutions on several new problems are reported. Statistical tests and comprehensive assessment of the predicted results show CHP comprehensively outperforms RPSOLC and GA, while RPSOLC has a little superiority over GA. Extensive simulations show that the on repeated trials of the same experiment, CHP has very low variability. About 50% fewer variations are seen in RPSOLC as compared to GA on repeated trials.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.433-440
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• 2014

In this study, a method for the low-carbon active distribution system (ADS) planning is proposed. It takes into account the impacts of both network capacity and demand correlation to the renewable energy accommodation, and incorporates demand response (DR) as an available resource in the ADS planning. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming model, whereby the optimal allocation of renewable energy sources and the design of DR contract (i.e. payment incentives and default penalties) are determined simultaneously, in order to achieve the minimization of total cost and $CO_2$ emissions subjected to the system constraints. The uncertainties that involved are also considered by using the scenario synthesis method with the improved Taguchi's orthogonal array testing for reducing information redundancy. A novel cuckoo search (CS) is applied for the planning optimization. The case study results confirm the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.