SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE OPTIMIZATION

1 . A method of selecting a first value for a first independent variable that determines an operating state of a system described by a performance function, comprising:

establishing a first range of values for said first independent variable;

selecting a first number of values in said first range of values to test said first independent variable;

selecting first random values within said first range of values for said first independent variable based on said first number of values;

evaluating said performance function at said first random values; and

selecting said first value of said first independent variable from said first random values that provides a first extremum value for said performance function.

2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

establishing a second range of values that spans said first value for said first independent variable;

selecting a second number of values in said second range of values to test said first independent variable;

selecting second random values within said second range of values for said first independent variable based on said second number of values;

evaluating said performance function at said second random values; and

selecting a second value of said first independent variable from said second random values that provides a second extremum value for said performance function.

3 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

establishing a second range of values for a second independent variable;

selecting a second number of values in said second range of values to test said second independent variable;

selecting second random values within said second range of values for said second independent variable based on said second number of values;

evaluating said performance function at said second random values; and

selecting a second value of said second independent variable from said second random values that provides a second extremum value for said performance function.

4 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said performance function comprises a plurality of extrema.

5 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said extremum value is a maximum value.

6 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said extremum value is a minimum value.

7 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said performance function is a discontinuous function of said first independent variable.

8 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said performance function is a nonlinear function of said first independent variable.

9 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said performance function is a non-convex function of said first independent variable.

10 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said performance function accommodates a system constraint by including a Lagrange multiplier.

11 . An apparatus operable to select a first value for a first independent variable that determines an operating state of a system described by a performance function, comprising:

processing circuitry coupled to a memory, configured to:

establish a first range of values for said first independent variable;

select a first number of values in said first range of values to test said first independent variable;

select first random values within said first range of values for said first independent variable based on said first number of values;

evaluate said performance function at said first random values; and

select said first value of said first independent variable from said first random values that provides a first extremum value for said performance function.

12 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said processing circuitry coupled to said memory is further configured to:

establish a second range of values that spans said first value for said first independent variable;

select a second number of values in said second range of values to test said first independent variable;

select second random values within said second range of values for said first independent variable based on said second number of values;

evaluate said performance function at said second random values; and

select a second value of said first independent variable from said second random values that provides a second extremum value for said performance function.

13 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said processing circuitry coupled to said memory is further configured to:

establish a second range of values for a second independent variable;

select a second number of values in said second range of values to test said second independent variable;

select second random values within said second range of values for said second independent variable based on said second number of values;

evaluate said performance function at said second random values; and

select a second value of said second independent variable from said second random values that provides a second extremum value for said performance function.

14 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said performance function comprises a plurality of extrema.

15 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said extremum value is a maximum value.

16 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said extremum value is a minimum value.

17 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said performance function is a discontinuous function of said first independent variable.

18 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said performance function is a nonlinear function of said first independent variable.

19 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said performance function is a non-convex function of said first independent variable.

20 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said performance function accommodates a system constraint by including a Lagrange multiplier.