Duality and sensitivity in nonconvex quadratic optimization over an ellipsoid

In this paper a duality framework is discussed for the problem of optimizing a nonconvex quadratic function over an ellipsoid. Additional insight is obtained from the observation that this nonconvex problem is in a sense equivalent to a convex problem of the same type, from which known necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality readily follow. Based on the duality results, some existing solution procedures are interpreted as in fact solving the dual. The duality relations are also shown to provide a natural framework for sensitivity analysis.