System and method for optimizing optical coupling in a cross connect switch

A method for optimizing a multivariable system, comprising the steps of:

• generating initial output peak value estimate for desired system state using nominal real process values stored in a global control device;
• generating initial real process command values using said initial output peak value estimate;
• delivering said initial real process command values to real process variable elements;
• delivering said initial real process command values to an optimization algorithm device for performing an optimization routine;
• activating said real process variable elements such that said real process variable elements undergo an initial state change corresponding to said initial real process command values;
• collecting real process data during said initial state change and delivering said real process data to the optimization algorithm device for performing optimization;
• introducing system changes within a predetermined tolerable range during said initial state change about said initial output peak value estimate;
• collecting real process data during said initial state change and said introduced system changes;
• mapping data sets from initial real process command values, collected real process data, and delivering said data sets to the optimization algorithm device.