Design synthesis of microelectromechanical systems using genetic algorithms with component-based genotype representation

An automated design synthesis system based on a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) has been developed for the optimization of surface-micromachined MEMS devices. A hierarchical component-based genotype representation is used, which incorporates specific engineering knowledge into the design and optimization process. Each MEMS component is represented by a gene with its own parameters defining its geometry and the way it can be modified from one generation to the next. The object-oriented genotype structures efficiently describe the hierarchical nature typical of engineering designs. They also prevent MOGA from wasting time exploring inappropriate regions of the search space. The automated MEMS design synthesis is demonstrated with surface-micromachined resonator and accelerometer designs. (Track Category: EVOLUTIONARY MULTIOBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION).