Agent skill

scipy-curve-fit

Use scipy.optimize.curve_fit for nonlinear least squares parameter estimation from experimental data.

Stars 897
Forks 232

Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/benchflow-ai/skillsbench/tree/main/tasks-no-skills/hvac-control/environment/skills/scipy-curve-fit

SKILL.md

Using scipy.optimize.curve_fit for Parameter Estimation

Overview

scipy.optimize.curve_fit is a tool for fitting models to experimental data using nonlinear least squares optimization.

Basic Usage

python
from scipy.optimize import curve_fit
import numpy as np

# Define your model function
def model(x, param1, param2):
    return param1 * (1 - np.exp(-x / param2))

# Fit to data
popt, pcov = curve_fit(model, x_data, y_data)

# popt contains the optimal parameters [param1, param2]
# pcov contains the covariance matrix

Fitting a First-Order Step Response

python
import numpy as np
from scipy.optimize import curve_fit

# Known values from experiment
y_initial = ...  # Initial output value
u = ...          # Input magnitude during step test

# Define the step response model
def step_response(t, K, tau):
    """First-order step response with fixed initial value and input."""
    return y_initial + K * u * (1 - np.exp(-t / tau))

# Your experimental data
t_data = np.array([...])  # Time points
y_data = np.array([...])  # Output readings

# Perform the fit
popt, pcov = curve_fit(
    step_response,
    t_data,
    y_data,
    p0=[K_guess, tau_guess],      # Initial guesses
    bounds=([K_min, tau_min], [K_max, tau_max])  # Parameter bounds
)

K_estimated, tau_estimated = popt

Setting Initial Guesses (p0)

Good initial guesses speed up convergence:

python
# Estimate K from steady-state data
K_guess = (y_data[-1] - y_initial) / u

# Estimate tau from 63.2% rise time
y_63 = y_initial + 0.632 * (y_data[-1] - y_initial)
idx_63 = np.argmin(np.abs(y_data - y_63))
tau_guess = t_data[idx_63]

p0 = [K_guess, tau_guess]

Setting Parameter Bounds

Bounds prevent physically impossible solutions:

python
bounds = (
    [lower_K, lower_tau],    # Lower bounds
    [upper_K, upper_tau]     # Upper bounds
)

Calculating Fit Quality

R-squared (Coefficient of Determination)

python
# Predicted values from fitted model
y_predicted = step_response(t_data, K_estimated, tau_estimated)

# Calculate R-squared
ss_residuals = np.sum((y_data - y_predicted) ** 2)
ss_total = np.sum((y_data - np.mean(y_data)) ** 2)
r_squared = 1 - (ss_residuals / ss_total)

Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)

python
residuals = y_data - y_predicted
rmse = np.sqrt(np.mean(residuals ** 2))

Complete Example

python
import numpy as np
from scipy.optimize import curve_fit

def fit_first_order_model(data, y_initial, input_value):
    """
    Fit first-order model to step response data.

    Returns dict with K, tau, r_squared, fitting_error
    """
    t_data = np.array([d["time"] for d in data])
    y_data = np.array([d["output"] for d in data])

    def model(t, K, tau):
        return y_initial + K * input_value * (1 - np.exp(-t / tau))

    # Initial guesses
    K_guess = (y_data[-1] - y_initial) / input_value
    tau_guess = t_data[len(t_data)//3]  # Rough guess

    # Fit with bounds
    popt, _ = curve_fit(
        model, t_data, y_data,
        p0=[K_guess, tau_guess],
        bounds=([0, 0], [np.inf, np.inf])
    )

    K, tau = popt

    # Calculate quality metrics
    y_pred = model(t_data, K, tau)
    ss_res = np.sum((y_data - y_pred) ** 2)
    ss_tot = np.sum((y_data - np.mean(y_data)) ** 2)
    r_squared = 1 - (ss_res / ss_tot)
    fitting_error = np.sqrt(np.mean((y_data - y_pred) ** 2))

    return {
        "K": float(K),
        "tau": float(tau),
        "r_squared": float(r_squared),
        "fitting_error": float(fitting_error)
    }

Common Issues

  1. RuntimeError: Optimal parameters not found

    • Try better initial guesses
    • Check that data is valid (no NaN, reasonable range)
  2. Poor fit (low R^2):

    • Data might not be from step response phase
    • System might not be first-order
    • Too much noise in measurements
  3. Unrealistic parameters:

    • Add bounds to constrain solution
    • Check units are consistent

Expand your agent's capabilities with these related and highly-rated skills.

benchflow-ai/skillsbench

csv-processing

Use this skill when reading sensor data from CSV files, writing simulation results to CSV, processing time-series data with pandas, or handling missing values in datasets.

897 232
Explore
benchflow-ai/skillsbench

pid-controller

Use this skill when implementing PID control loops for adaptive cruise control, vehicle speed regulation, throttle/brake management, or any feedback control system requiring proportional-integral-derivative control.

897 232
Explore
benchflow-ai/skillsbench

yaml-config

Use this skill when reading or writing YAML configuration files, loading vehicle parameters, or handling config file parsing with proper error handling.

897 232
Explore
benchflow-ai/skillsbench

simulation-metrics

Use this skill when calculating control system performance metrics such as rise time, overshoot percentage, steady-state error, or settling time for evaluating simulation results.

897 232
Explore
benchflow-ai/skillsbench

vehicle-dynamics

Use this skill when simulating vehicle motion, calculating safe following distances, time-to-collision, speed/position updates, or implementing vehicle state machines for cruise control modes.

897 232
Explore
benchflow-ai/skillsbench

web-interface-guidelines

Vercel's comprehensive UI guidelines for building accessible, performant web interfaces. Use this skill when reviewing or building UI components for compliance with best practices around accessibility, performance, animations, and visual stability.

897 232
Explore

Didn't find tool you were looking for?

Be as detailed as possible for better results