Central force optimization: A new metaheuristic with applications in applied electromagnetics

Central Force Optimization (CFO) is a new deterministic multi-dimensional search metaheuristic based on the metaphor of gravitational kinematics. It models "probes" that "fly" through the decision space by analogy to masses moving under the influence of gravity. Equations are developed for the probes' positions and accelerations using the analogy of particle motion in a gravitational field. In the physical universe, objects traveling through three-dimensional space become trapped in close orbits around highly gravitating masses, which is analogous to locating the maximum value of an objective function. In the CFO metaphor, "mass" is a user defined function of the value of the objective function to be maximized. CFO is readily implemented in a compact computer program, and sample pseudocode is presented. As tests of CFO's effectiveness, an equalizer is designed for the well-known Fano load, and a 32-element linear array is synthesized. CFO results are compared to several other optimization methods.