SimCOVID: An Open-Source Simulink-Based Program for Simulating the COVID-19 Epidemic

Ismael Khorshed Abdulrahman

It is worth mentioning that Simulink provides several optimization techniques that can be used for this problem including Gradient Descent, Nonlinear least Square, Pattern Search, and Simplex Search. In addition, various options are included in the toolbox. For instance, the Gradient Descent technique allows applying Active-Set, Interior-Point, Trust-Region-reflective, and\or Sequential Quadratic-Programming methods. Nonlinear least Square technique comes with either Levenberg-Marquardt or Trust-Region_reflective strategy. Pattern Search strategy involves Positive Basis NP1 and 2N, Genetic Algorithm, Latin Hypercube, and Nelder Mead techniques. Furthermore, the cost function can be selected as either Sum Squared or Absolute Error. From the simulation experience, it is found that the Simplex Search technique shows faster running time but it ignores the limits specified for the problem.