A hybrid least squares-GA-based algorithm for harmonic estimation

Harmonic estimation in a distorted signal along with additive noise has been an area of interest for researchers in many disciplines of science and engineering. This paper presents a new algorithm to estimate the harmonics in power systems using genetic algorithms (GAs). The harmonic estimation problem is linear in amplitude and nonlinear in phase. The proposed hybrid algorithm takes advantage of this structure and iterates between linear least squares amplitude estimation and the nonlinear GA-based phase estimation. Improvement in both convergence for solution as well as processing time is demonstrated from this algorithm.