Method and system for component-based design of physical systems
A method and system for automated design of a physical system are provided. During operation, the system obtains a component library comprising a plurality of physical components, receives design requirements of the physical system, and constructs an initial system model based on physical components in the component library and the design requirements. The system topology associated with the initial system model can include a large number of links that are sufficiently coupled to one another, and a respective link comprises one or more physical components. The system further performs an optimization operation comprising a plurality of iterations, with the system topology being updated at each iteration. Updating the system topology includes removing links and components from the system topology. The system then generates a final system model based on an outcome of the optimization operation and outputs a design solution of the physical system according to the final system model.
1. A computer-implemented method for automated design of a physical system, comprising:
obtaining, by a computer, a component library comprising a plurality of physical components;
receiving design requirements of the physical system;
constructing an initial system model based on physical components in the component library and the design requirements, wherein a system topology associated with the initial system model comprises a large number of links that are coupled to one another, and wherein a respective link comprises one or more physical components;
performing an optimization operation comprising a plurality of iterations, wherein the system topology is updated at each iteration, and wherein updating the system topology comprises removing links and components from the system topology;
generating a final system model based on an outcome of the optimization operation; and
outputting a design solution of the physical system according to the final system model.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the design requirements comprise boundary conditions and desired behavior of the physical system.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a respective component within the respective link is coupled to an adjacent node in the system topology via a selection switch, and wherein a state of the selection switch indicates whether the respective component is removable from the system topology.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the optimization operation further comprises solving a primal-dual optimization problem, and wherein each iteration comprises:
solving a primal optimization problem; and
updating at least one dual optimization variable.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein solving the primal optimization problem further comprises:
determining whether variables in the primal optimization problem exceed a predetermined number;
if so, solving the primal optimization problem using a first-order method; and
if not, solving the primal optimization problem using a second-order method.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first-order method implements a gradient-descent algorithm, and wherein the second-order method implements a quasi-Newton algorithm.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the final system model further comprises:
combining multiple components of a same type into a single component based on a topology relationship among the multiple components; and
updating parameters of physical components remaining in a final topology associated with the final system model without updating the final topology.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for automated design of a physical system, the method comprising:
obtaining a component library comprising a plurality of physical components;
receiving design requirements of the physical system;
constructing an initial system model based on physical components in the component library and the design requirements, wherein a system topology associated with the initial system model comprises a large number of links that are coupled to one another, and wherein a respective link comprises one or more physical components;
performing an optimization operation comprising a plurality of iterations, wherein the system topology is updated at each iteration, and wherein updating the system topology comprises removing links and components from the system topology;
generating a final system model based on an outcome of the optimization operation; and
outputting a design solution of the physical system according to the final system model.
9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the design requirements comprise boundary conditions and desired behavior of the physical system.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein a respective component within the respective link is coupled to an adjacent node in the system topology via a selection switch, and wherein a state of the selection switch indicates whether the respective component is removable from the system topology.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein performing the optimization operation further comprises solving a primal-dual optimization problem, and wherein each iteration comprises:
solving a primal optimization problem; and
updating at least one dual optimization variable.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein solving the primal optimization problem further comprises:
determining whether variables in the primal optimization problem exceed a predetermined number;
if so, solving the primal optimization problem using a first-order method; and
if not, solving the primal optimization problem using a second-order method.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the first-order method implements a gradient-descent algorithm, and wherein the second-order method implements a quasi-Newton algorithm.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein generating the final system model further comprises:
combining multiple components of a same type into a single component based on a topology relationship among the multiple components; and
updating parameters of physical components remaining in a final topology associated with the final system model without updating the final topology.
15. A computer system for automated design of a physical system, the computer system comprising:
a processor;
a storage device coupled to the processor and storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method, wherein the method comprises:
obtaining a component library comprising a plurality of physical components;
receiving design requirements of the physical system;
constructing an initial system model based on physical components in the component library and the design requirements, wherein a system topology associated with the initial system model comprises a large number of links that are coupled to one another, and wherein a respective link comprises one or more physical components;
performing an optimization operation comprising a plurality of iterations, wherein the system topology is updated at each iteration, and wherein updating the system topology comprises removing links and components from the system topology;
generating a final system model based on an outcome of the optimization operation; and
outputting a design solution of the physical system according to the final system model.
16. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein the design requirements comprise boundary conditions and desired behavior of the physical system.
17. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein a respective component within the respective link is coupled to an adjacent node in the system topology via a selection switch, and wherein a state of the selection switch indicates whether the respective component is removable from the system topology.
18. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein performing the optimization operation further comprises solving a primal-dual optimization problem, and wherein each iteration comprises:
solving a primal optimization problem; and
updating at least one dual optimization variable.
19. The computer system of claim 18 , wherein solving the primal optimization problem further comprises:
determining whether variables in the primal optimization problem exceed a predetermined number;
if so, solving the primal optimization problem using a first-order method, wherein the first-order method implements a gradient-descent algorithm; and
if not, solving the primal optimization problem using a second-order method, wherein the second-order method implements a quasi-Newton algorithm.
20. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein generating the final system model further comprises:
combining multiple components of a same type into a single component based on a topology relationship among the multiple components; and
updating parameters of physical components remaining in a final topology associated with the final system model without updating the final topology.