Nonlinear system identification and control using state transition algorithm

This paper presents a novel optimization method named state transition algorithm (STA) to solve the problem of identification and control for nonlinear system. In the proposed algorithm, a solution to optimization problem is considered as a state, and the updating of a solution equates to the process of state transition, which makes the STA easy to understand and convenient to be implemented. First, the STA is applied to identify the optimal parameters of the estimated system with previously known structure. With the accurate estimated model, an off-line PID controller is then designed optimally by using the STA as well. Experimental results demonstrate the validity of the methodology, and comparison to STA with other optimization algorithms confirms that STA is a promising alternative method for system identification and control due to its stronger search ability, faster convergence speed and more stable performance.