Design and optimize microwave/millimeter wave components by combining simulation software and genetic algorithm

Electromagnetic simulation software (EMSS) has many advantages such as friendly interface, modeling convenience and reliable simulation results. However, they are inadequate in optimization design. Genetic algorithm (GA) optimizers are robust, stochastic search methods. They are particularly effective to find an approximate global maximum/minimum in a high-dimension, multimodal function domain in a near-optimal manner. Combining EMSS and GA is expected to design and optimize microwave/millimeter wave components effectively such as antennas, filters, couplers, etc., and it is expected to save time and effort of engineers. In this paper, HFSS software, as an example, is combined with GA through VBScript to explicate the method and steps of the combination. Finally, the design and optimization of a compact ortho-mode transducer at Ka band is carried out as an example to demonstrate the validity of the EMSS and GA combination method.