PARALLEL DIRECT SEARCH METHODS FOR SIMULATION-BASED OPTIMIZATION

realistic computing models has become an in-valuable tool in the design process. Complex simulation codes are able to approximate the be-havior of intricate systems or the properties of components without the need for costly physical experimentation. Optimization algorithms can be used to automatically find the set of parameters within the design space for which the simula-tion promises the most desirable characteristics. However, there are several challenges that must be met to successfully apply this technique to real-world problems. First, the objective function to be minimized (or maximized) is given only implicitly and a time-consuming simulation is necessary to cal