Novel analytic gradient evaluation techniques for optimization of microwave structures

A novel technique to evaluate gradients for optimization of microwave structures and devices was presented. The approach only requires that the problem be formulated in terms of a general nonhomogeneous matrix equation such as encountered in the Moment Method (MM) or the Finite Element Method (FEM). All partial derivatives are determined from a single analysis of the structure. Numerical results show excellent agreement between the present approach and the finite difference method when small enough increments are used.