Apeiron, Vol. 12, No.

4, October 2005

Optimization Method based

on Genetic Algorithms
A. Rangel-Merino, J. L. Lpez-Bonilla,
R. Linares y Miranda.
U.P.A.L.M., Edif. Z, Acc. 3, 3er piso, Col. Lindavista,
C.P. 07738, Mxico, D.F.
email: [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]
The design of electromagnetic systems using methods of
optimization have been carried out with deterministic
methods. However, these methods are not efficient, because
the object functions obtained from electromagnetic
optimization problems are often highly non-linear, stiff, multiextreme and non-differential. The lack of a single method
available to deal with multidimensional problems, including
those with several goals to optimize, has generated the need to
use numerical processes for optimization. This paper presents
a method of global optimization based on genetic algorithms.
The Genetic Algorithms are a versatile tool, which can be
applied as a global optimization method to problems of
electromagnetic engineering, because they are easy to
implement to non-differentiable functions and discrete search
spaces. It is also shown how, in some cases, genetic
algorithms have been applied with success in electromagnetic
problems, such as antenna design, far-field prediction,
absorber coatings design, etc.
Keywords: Electromagnetic Optimization, Genetic Algorithm.
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Introduction
For three decades, many mathematical programming methods have
been developed to solve optimization problems. However, until now,
there has not been a single totally efficient and robust method to cover
all optimization problems that arise in the different engineering fields.
Most engineering application design problems involve the choice of
design variable values that better describe the behavior of a system.
At the same time, those results should cover the requirements and
specifications imposed by the norms for that system. This last
condition leads to predicting what the entrance parameter values
should be whose design results comply with the norms and also
present good performance, which describes the inverse problem.
Generally, in design problems the variables are discreet from the
mathematical point of view. However, most mathematical
optimization applications are focused and developed for continuous
variables. Presently, there are many research articles about
optimization methods; the typical ones are based on calculus,
numerical methods, and random methods. The calculus based
methods have been intensely studied and are subdivided in two main
classes: 1) the direct search methods find a local maximum moving
on a function over the relative local gradient directions and 2) the
indirect methods usually find the local ends solving a set of non-linear
equations, resultant of equaling the gradient from the object function
to zero, i.e., by means of multidimensional generalization of the
notion of the functions extreme points from elementary calculus give
a smooth function without restrictions to find a possible maximum
which is to be restricted to those points whose slope is zero in all
directions. Both methods have been improved and extended, however
they lack robustness for two main reasons: 1) they have a local focus,
since they seek the maximum in the analyzed point neighborhoods; 2)
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they depend on the existence of their derivative, which many spaces

of practical parameters respect little the notion of having derivatives
and smoothness. The real world has many discontinuities and noisy
spaces, which is why it is not surprising that the methods depending
upon the restrictive requirements of continuity and existence of a
derivative are unsuitable for all, but a very limited problem domain. A
number of schemes have been applied in many forms and sizes. The
idea is quite direct inside a finite search space or a discrete infinite
search space, where the algorithms can locate the object function
values in each space point one at a time. The simplicity of this kind of
algorithm is very attractive when the numbers of possibilities are very
small. Nevertheless, these outlines are often inefficient, since they do
not complete the requirements of robustness in big or highly
dimensional spaces, making it quite a hard task to find the optimal
values. Given the shortcomings of the calculus based techniques and
the numerical ones the random methods have increased their
popularity.
The methods of random search are known as evolutionary
algorithms. The evolutionary techniques are parallel and globally
robust optimization methods. They are based on the principles of
natural selection of Darwin [5] and the genetic theory of the natural
selection of R.A. Fisher [7]. The application of evolutionary
techniques as abstractions of the natural evolution has been broadly
proven [3]. In general, all recursive approaches based on population,
which use selection and random variation to generate new solutions,
can be seen as evolutionary techniques. Indeed, the study of nonlinear problems using mathematical programming methods that can
handle global optimization problems effectively is of considerable
interest. Genetic Algorithms is one such method which has been a
subject of discussion by [21], [22], [23] and [24]
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The genetic algorithm is an example of a search procedure that

uses random selection for optimization of a function by means of the
parameters space coding. The genetic algorithms were developed by
Holland [10] and the most popular references are perhaps Goldberg
[8] and a more recent one by Bck [1]. The genetic algorithms have
been proven successful for robust searches in complex spaces. Some
papers and dissertations, like [3], state the validity of the technique in
applications of optimization and robust search, crediting the genetic
algorithms as efficient and effective in the approach for the search.
For these reasons Genetic Algorithms are broadly used in daily
activities, as much in scientific applications as in business and
engineering circles. It is necessary to emphasize that genetic
algorithms are not limited to the search space (relative aspects to the
continuity and derivatives existence among other properties). Besides,
genetic algorithms are simple and extremely capable in their task of
searching for the objective improvement.

The Genetic Algorithms

The genetic algorithms (G.A.) are typically characterized by the
following aspects:
The G.A. work with the base in the code of the variables group
(artificial genetic strings) and not with the variables in
themselves.
The G.A. work with a set of potential solutions (population)
instead of trying to improve a single solution.
The G.A. do not use information obtained directly from the
object function, of its derivatives, or of any other auxiliary
knowledge of the same one.
The G.A. apply probabilistic transition rules, not deterministic
rules.
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The genetic algorithm process is quite simple; it only involves a

copy string, partial string exchanges or a string mutation, all these in
random form.

The fundamental theorem of genetic algorithms

A genetic algorithm is constructed by stochastic operators, and its
robust search ability is based on the theorem depicted in [8], which
states, "short schemata of low order with aptitude above average,
exponentially increase its number by generations ", this is:
f (H )
(H )

(1)
m ( H ,t + 1) m ( H ,t )
O ( H ) pm
1 pc
f avg
l 1

where m(H,t+1) and m(H,t) are the schemata number H in the

generation t+1 and t respectively, f(H) is the average aptitude value of
the strings that is included on the schemata H, favg is the total
population's average aptitude value, l is the total string length, (H) is
the schemata length from H, O(H) is the schemata order from H, pc is
the crossover probability and pm is the mutation probability.

Genetic Algorithm Operators

As shown above, a basic genetic algorithm that can produce
acceptable results in many practical problems is composed of three
operators:
Reproduction
Crossover
Mutation
The reproduction process goal is to allow the genetic information,
stored in the good fitness artificial strings, survive the next generation.
The typical case is where the population's string has assigned a value
according to its aptitude in the object function. This value has the
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probability of being chosen as the parent in the reproduction process

of a new generation.
The crossover is a process by which a string is divided into
segments, which are exchanged with the segments corresponding to
another string. With these process two new strings different to those
that produced them are generated. It is necessary to clarify that the
choice of strings crossed inside those that were chosen previously in
the reproduction process is random. From the point of view of
problem optimization, it is equal to the exploitation of an area of the
parameters space. The following outline shows the crossover process:
Before crossover
After crossover

crossover point
string A1 101001 01 crossover 101001 00 string A1

string A 2 111100 00
111100 01 string A2
the strings A1 and A2 are part of the new generation.
As with biological systems the mutation is manifested with a small
change in the genetic string of the individuals. In the case of artificial
genetic strings, the mutation is equal to a change in the elementary
portion (allele) of the individuals code. The mutation takes place
with characteristics different to those that the individuals had at the
beginning, characteristics that didn't possibly exist in the population.
From the point of view of problem optimization, it is equal to a
change of the search area in the parameters space. The above
mentioned is illustrated with the following outline:
Before mutation
After mutation
mutation point
mutation

{11100101 string A1
string A1 10100101}
the string A1 belongs to the new generation.

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The genetic algorithms seek their goal recurrently (by generation),

evaluating each individual's aptitude in the object function which is in
fact the optimization approach.

The Object Function

Frequently design problems have to comply with norms or practical
constraints that either optimize cost or design performance. In
general, they should cover goals for good global performance. These
goals do not always match, i.e., while one goal requires the maximum
of a parameter, another goal requires the same parameter to be as
small as possible. Optimization goals can be expressed in a more
dependent mathematical relationship form of a parameter group or
design variables of which these parameters in turn can be constraints
to interval values. The mathematical expression that represents the
optimization goal is commonly known as the "object function".

The code and decode

As indicated before, the essential characteristic of genetic algorithms
is the coding of the variables that describe the problem. The common
coding method is to transform the variables to specific length binary
strings. For a problem depending on more than one variable the
coding involves linking with each variable code. The code length
depends on the rank of the variables and the precision required by the
problem.
If a design variable requires a precision Ac then the number of
binary digits in the binary string can be estimated with the following
equation:
X XL
2m U
(2)
AC + 1
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where XU and XL are the upper and lower bounds of the continuous
variable X. It is advisable to adapt the precision to the problem,
because the search process can be faulty when more precision by a
longer string is required.
The decoding is basically carried out for the evaluation of the
population's individual in the object function and it is applied to the
population's members.

Selection Strategies
At first the genetic algorithms generate random strings for the
solution population. The following generation is developed by
applying the genetic operators: reproduction, crossover and mutation.
The new generation is evolved based on each individual's
probabilities assigned by its object function fitness; i.e., for poor
object function fitness values there are few probabilities for surviving
the next generation. In this way, the generations are engendered with
the strings or individuals that improve the function objective fitness
value. Those that do not cover these conditions disappear completely.
The reproduction is in essence a selection process. The good
known selection outlines are: the proportional schema, or group one.
The process of proportional selection assigns a reproduction range
according to the fitness value to each individual. In the group
selection process, the population is divided into groups according to
their fitness value; where each group member will have the same
reproduction value.
For instance, the proportional selection could be expressed
mathematically in the following way:
f
(3)
Pi = i
fj
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where Pi is the selection probability, fi is the aptitude of the i-th

individual or string and fi is the sum of the population's fitness.
Another form is to use the reciprocal of the object function to obtain
the gross fitness f, i.e.:
1
f =
(4)
FO
where FO is the object function value for the i-th string.
On the other hand, for the purpose of giving the most opportunity
to the genetic algorithm of exploring the whole search space, the
creation of the first generation should be as diverse as possible and
should stay this way at least during the first generation. In a case
where a string or individual has a high fitness value inside the initial
generation, the individual could dominate the population. Scaling the
fitness value is a form of avoiding dominance, individuals with more
fitness are scaled down and those with smaller fitness are scaled up,
this way the selection process can be more random.
The fitness linear scaling requires a lineal relationship between the
scaled fitness fi and the gross fitness f, i.e.:
fi = af + b
(5)
the coefficients a and b can be chosen in several ways, however in all
cases the scaled average fitness favg is required to be similar to the
average gross fitness favg because the recurrent use of this selection
process will assure average contributions by the population's
members with at least one offspring for the next generation.

Genetic algorithm basic parameters

The convergence of the genetic algorithms to an acceptable solution
depends on its basic parameter values (reproduction, crossover,
mutation, selection and population) which to find a relationship
among them to maintain search robustness has been the subject of
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diverse studies [4], [6] and [11]. These studies have focused on the
relationship between the mutation values and convergence; to the
relationship between the population's size and the crossover
probability values, respectively; and to the relationship among good
population's size, crossover probability and selection. These studies
have also focused on specific simplified problems, therefore not
making it possible to use the results in practical problems. For the
above-mentioned reasons it is necessary to carry out convergence
tests with varying values, taking into account that the population's
size, the mutation probability and the crossover probability are related
for the determination of the best control parameters values. An
appropriate approach [9] to begin a search is to consider population
size between 30 and 50 individuals, a crossover probability of about
0.6 and a smaller mutation probability of about 0.01.

Applications
The optimizations in electromagnetic problems often involve many
parameters in which the parameters may be discrete. For instance, a
low side-lobes optimization of elements non-equidistantly spaced on
a long array antenna, when the excitation and phase have quantized
values. Although the number of possibilities in the search space is
finite an exhaustive search is not practical [12] and [13]. The radiation
pattern generated by an array antenna [12], is given by:
N el
n

(6)
AF ( ) = 2sin cos k d m d l 2 cos
n =1
m
=
1

where dl/2 is the distance from the element l to the physical center of
the array, dm is the space between the element m-1 and element m.
The distance of the element m to the center of the array is given by:

n 1
m =1

d m d l 2 which assures element n is nearest to the array

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center than element n+1, and also that the minimum distance bigger
than zero is considered. It is clear that the problem gets complicated
when the number of array elements is increased. In this case the most
appropriate optimization method is the Genetic Algorithms.
Another case is the prediction of far field from near field
measurements [14]. The mathematical pattern used in the prediction
of far field involves great parameter quantity, such as complex
excitation, position and orientation of the physical set of the elemental
dipoles that generate the same pattern to the one obtained with
measurements. In this optimization problem the parameters quantity
grows in proportion with the number of elements considered (8
parameters by element). For instance, if a set of four elemental
dipoles is used to predict the far field of some electronic device, the
search space will have 28 parameters and each one of these in an
interval. For this particular case the object function proposed is:
M

F ( s ) = g m ( vm f m ( rm ,s ) ) = 0

(7)

m =1

where vm is the measured real value, fm(rm,S) is any amplitude or

phase (calculated with the field expressions for elementary dipoles [2]
of any electric or magnetic field component vector radiated by the
group of equivalent dipoles, both values in the point rm); gm is a
weight function which depends on the information kind (excitation
and/or phase); S is a vector formed by the excitation, position and
orientation dipole parameters. A way of finding S is by minimizing
|F|. Since |F| is highly non-linear and it has too many local minima, it
is only probable to find an global optimal with non-conventional
optimization methods, such as the genetic algorithms.
In [15], the optimization problem between the reflectivity and the
thickness of wide-band microwave absorbent coatings is presented.
The reflection coefficient of the absorbent material is given by:
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Ri ( f ) =

Ri ( f ) + Ri 1 ( f ) e
2 jk
f t
1 + R ( f ) R ( f ) e i1 ( ) i1
2 jki 1 ( f )ti 1

( f ) ki ( f ) i ( f ) ki 1 ( f )
Ri ( f ) = i 1
i 1 ( f ) ki ( f ) + i ( f ) ki 1 ( f )
for

i > 0,

(8)

i 1

ki ( f ) = 2 f i ( f ) i ( f ) ,

R0 = 1 ,

(9)

and

R ( f ) = RN L ( f ) , where: NL is the layers number of thickness ti ,

i ( f ) and i ( f ) are the permittivity and permeability of each

layer, supported in a perfect electric conductive material. The process
can be repeated on the group of representative frequencies inside the
band B to find the frequency of the absorbent media. The total
N
absorbent media thickness is given by: t = i =1 ti . In order to
L

minimize the maximum reflection on the band:

R = 20 log10 max R ( f ) ,| f B

(10)

and the total thickness. It is clear that the goals are opposed while the
maximum reflection minimization is achieved with a bigger thickness
of the absorbent media; while also seeking to minimize that thickness.
The technique used in this case found the trade off between the
thickness of the absorbent media and the minimum reflections of the
same material.
In [16] the problem of extracting the intrinsic dielectric frequency
properties dependent on the media is presented. It is important to
know the real and complex magnetic permeability, the real and
complex electric permittivity, and the electric conductivity in circuits
design when the operation frequency is in GHz. Under these
conditions the dispersion losses are quite significant and their estimate
is not a simple task. This document proposes a systematic method,
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based on genetic algorithms, to recover the material dielectric

properties from the measurements of S parameters.
In [17] the design problem of electrically small auto-resonant
antennas is presented. The parameter that best describes a small
resonant antenna is the quality factor Q, which is defined as the
relationship of the resonance frequency divided by the frequencies
difference to which the radiated power falls to of the power in
resonance, i.e., for a smaller Q bigger antenna band width. The main
problem in small antenna design is that its radiation resistance falls
approaching zero according to decreases in the antenna size and its
reactance approaches , depending on whether the antenna outside
of resonance behaves as an inductance (loop) or as a capacitance
(electric dipole). In this problem a genetic algorithm was used to find
the wire configuration with both characteristics (capacitive reactance
and inductive reactance) which are annulled in resonance.
In [18], the Debye & Lorentzian dispersive media parameters that
characterize a material are recovered starting with measurements. The
parameters recovery requires a non-linear equation set solution, which
becomes quite a hard task. The method proposed; at first, using the
the equation (of the telegrapher) of a transmission line to build the
parameters distributed matrix with measurements of a badge parallel
covered with scattering material, one which in turn constitutes an
electromagnetic means of traverse propagation; secondly, using
genetic algorithms to find the means scattering by minimization
means of the difference between the carried out measurements and
the calculated parameters.
Finally, in [19] the design problem of the geometric form
absorbent coatings under such requirements as low reflection, small
and lightweight volume is considered. In this case the genetic
algorithms are applied to optimize the coating form and the full wave
technique for form performance prediction.
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Conclusions
A quick revision to current literature will show that genetic
algorithms have grown in popularity to solve optimization problems
in diverse scientific research subjects. The electromagnetic area is not
the exception; a clear reference about it may be [20]. In this paper the
few selected examples report great optimization work simplification
with quite acceptable results. However, in each case the genetic
algorithm should be adapted to the treated problem. In certain cases it
is necessary to combine this technique with others (like in [15]) and to
check them with other methods of the same class (simulated
annealing). Although genetic algorithms do not demand a previous or
additional knowledge (derivatives) of the function being optimized, it
is necessary that one has the sense that a global optimal exists.
Another aspect necessary to take into account is the growing
parameters space, i.e., the characteristics of the problem plus those of
the genetic algorithm control, and for these, there is no method which
provides its values in an exact way, it will always be necessary to
carry out tests to determine which are the best values. The only
inconvenience of this technique maybe the computation time required
to find the solution to a problem depending on its complexity. In
general, the genetic algorithms are an excellent option for the global
robust search of an optimal value from non-linear and high
dimensionality functions.
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