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

This paper proposes a method for multi-terminal resistor optimal design based on a stochastic optimization algorithm coupled with a high accuracy boundary element method numerical analysis module using spline boundary elements. 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 terminals can be globally reduced. In the first part of the paper, a short introduction to the boundary element method formulation using spline interpolation of the boundary unknowns is performed. Then, the genetic algorithm optimization method is briefly described, emphasising the numerical implementation particularities related to the actual application. In the second part of the paper, three numerical examples are proposed and the final conclusions are outlined.