The Hybrid Algorithms Based on Differential Evolution for Satellite Layout Optimization Design

The satellite layout optimization design (SLOD) problem is a kind of three-dimensional layout problems with complex performance constraints and known as a NP-hard problem. To solve SLOD problems efficiently and effectively, two types of hybrid optimization algorithm based on differential evolution (DE) are proposed in this paper. Concerning the design requirements of satellite attitude control subsystem, the SLOD problem is formulated, aiming to improve the overall mass characteristics of satellite. To explore the layout design space globally, the DE algorithm is utilized as the main framework of the proposed hybrid algorithm. Then in order to improve the local exploitation capability and algorithm robustness, sequential quadratic programming (SQP), as a gradient-based method, is combined with DE in two unique ways, comprising two types of hybrid algorithm. In the first type of hybrid algorithm (denoted by DESQP), SQP is performed when iteration process of DE has finished and only the final solution of DE is used as the initial point of SQP, the purpose of which is to locate the most promising area of optimum with DE first and then make a rapid exploitation around the quasi-optimum. In the second type of hybrid algorithm (denoted by DESQPDE), SQP is performed in the specific iteration of DE and all the current-generation population individuals are used as the initial points, the purpose of which is to accelerate the evolution process while holding the diversity of the population and to enhance the robustness. Finally, the efficacy and robustness of the proposed hybrid algorithms are compared with classical DE and also validated by two three-dimensional satellite layout cases with 14 and 40 components, respectively.