Glossary
API
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a connection between two computer programs that allows them to interact with each other. You can use our API to interact with the SDLabs Scientia platform.
API Key
An API key is an identifier used to authenticate and identify you when interacting with our API. You can find your API keys in your user profile.
Batch
Batch size is the number of experiments that are conducted in parallel at a workstation in a single iteration, with the maximum batch size being limited by the workstation bandwidth.
Budget
Budget is the total number of iterations a campaign will perform at most. Each iteration contains "n" observations.
Campaign
A campaign is a project or application running in a loop to optimize one or more objectives. It is composed of an optimizer, workstation(s), parameter space and objective(s).
Iteration
An iteration is a single loop of a campaign that consists of one or more observations.
Merit
Performance metric based on the associated optimization objective(s) and their weights. The merit ranges between 0 and 1, with 1 representing the best result to date. It is recomputed at each iteration.
Multi-objective function
Multi-objective functions enable the optimization of two or more objectives at the same time.
Objective
An objective is a metric to be optimized through the iterative process of the campaign. It can be a minimization, maximization or a target value task. Multiple objectives can be optimized together with a multi-objective function.
Observation
An observation is the combination of a set of parameters and its associated measurements.
Optimizer
An optimizer is an algorithm that provides parameters for the workstation to perform in order to reach the desired objective. It can be a machine-learning, DoE, gradient-based or grid-based method.
Parameter
A parameter is an input factor (or variable) that affects the measurement(s). Parameters are optimized to reach the optimum.
SDK
A Software Development Kit (SDK) is a software package that helps interact with an application.
Surface
Surface refers to an analytical benchmark function. It links input factors to measurements. The SDLabs platform provides a set of surfaces that can be used to compare algorithms.
Template
A template is a high-level description of a campaign where users define the optimizer, workstation(s), the parameter space and objective(s). Once the template is set up, it can be launched to start a campaign. Multiple campaigns may be run from the same template with varying optimizers, parameter spaces and objectives.
Workstation
A workstation executes the experimental plans suggested by SDLabs. It may be a scientist, an operator, a technician, an automated lab equipment or a simulation. A workstation receives the parameters from SDLabs, executes them, and returns the measurements.