An improved particle swarm optimization(PSO)is proposed. To solve the premature of multi-modal function search with PSO algorithm

the average-distance-among-points and differential evolution(DE)operator are utilized. Introducing the conception of acceleration

the effects from the other particles on a single particle are described to accelerate the convergence of PSO. For a high temperature superconducting(HTS)cable

the non-uniform AC current distribution among the multilayer conductors gives rise to the increased AC losses

therefore the structure parameters of the multilayer conductors are optimized with the improved PSO. The results manifest that a uniform current distribution among layers can be realized via the optimization of structure parameters

thus the AC losses reduced substantially.