Multi-terminal resistances optimal design using spline boundary elements and genetic algorithms

This paper proposes a method for multi-terminal resistor optimal design bas ed on a stochastic optimization algorithm coupled with a high accuracy boun dary element method numerical analysis module using spline boundary element s. The aim of the optimization process is to find out the optimal shape of the resistor so that the values of the partial resistances between its term inals can be globally reduced. In the first Part of the paper, a short intr oduction to the boundary element method formulation using spline interpolat ion of the boundary unknowns is performed Then, the genetic algorithm optim ization method is briefly described emphasising the numerical implementatio n particularities related to the actual application. In the second part of the paper, three numerical examples are proposed and the final conclusions are outlined.