Configuring the General Optimization Options

You can select the optimization technique, define tuning parameters for the technique, and set any execution options.

  1. Double-click the Six Sigma component icon .

    The Six Sigma Component Editor appears.

  2. From the Six Sigma Component Editor, click the Optimization tab.

  3. Click the General subtab and from the Optimization Technique list, click the technique that you want to use. For more information, see About the Optimization Techniques.

  4. In the Optimization Technique Options area, set the tuning parameters.

    For more information about these options, see Configuring the Optimization Techniques.

  5. In the Execution Options area, set the following (if available):

    Option Description
    Execute in parallel This option executes the design points in small parallel batches. The size of the batch depends on the number of selected design variables for numeric techniques or the size of the population for exploratory techniques.
    Restore optimum design point after execution This option makes the optimization component set the parameters to the best design point after execution. If this option is not selected, the optimization keeps all parameters at their last values (last execution of the subflow) after execution.
    Re-execute optimum design point This option forces the optimization component to re-execute the optimum design point after the end of optimization. Re-executing is recommended if there are some output parameters that are not directly involved in optimization, but their values depend on the values of design variables (for example, output file parameters).
    Use automatic variable scaling This option scales the design variables using their respective ranges (i.e., distances between their upper and lower bounds). Isight removes the Scale Factor column from the Variables subtab because the values of scale factors are calculated automatically.

    Note: You must define all upper and lower bounds (or allowed values) for all design variables when this option is selected. If some design variables do not have bounds, this option is not available.

  6. If desired click Advanced Options, and set the following:

    Option Description
    Execute subflow only once The subflow executes one time, and constraints, objectives, and penalty values are calculated. This is useful in models that need to turn the driver logic on/off parametrically. This option is also helpful in the debugging process if the model does not execute successfully.

    You can map this setting to a parameter. For more information, see Mapping Options and Attributes to Parameters.
    Allow the following items to be turned off by parameters This option allows you to disable some design parameters at run time by using parameters. When this option is selected, a set of special “switch” variables are created. By changing the values of these special variables, you can disable their corresponding design parameters.

    You can select Design Variables, Constraints, or Objectives.
    Import configuration at runtime Select this option if you want to import the Six Sigma optimization configuration from a file at run time. If selected, Isight creates an input file parameter on the Optimization component called Configuration. You can point the Configuration file to a specific file or map it from a file parameter from a previous component in the simulation process flow. Click to configure the file parameter to point to the desired file. You can also configure this file on the Design Gateway Files tab. For information about importing/exporting and the file format, see About Importing and Exporting Configuration Files.

  7. Click to import all or part of the Six Sigma optimization configuration from a file or to export the entire configuration to a file.

    This option provides you with an easy mechanism for quickly configuring the optimization setup using information that comes from an external source without manually entering all the information in the component editor. For more information, see About Importing and Exporting Configuration Files.

  8. If desired, map tuning parameter settings to parameters.

    For more information, see Mapping Options and Attributes to Parameters.

  9. Configure the Variables. See Configuring the Optimization Variables.

  10. Configure the Constraints. See Configuring the Optimization Constraints.

  11. Configure the Objectives. See Configuring the Objectives

  12. Click OK to save your changes and to close the Six Sigma Component Editor.

    When you select Six Sigma Optimization and click OK or Apply for the first time, the model is modified by embedding the Six Sigma component under an Optimization component. All optimization criteria are copied to the Optimization component and all selected parameters are mapped up to the Optimization component. You can still edit the optimization criteria in the Six Sigma Component Editor.