Evaluation of genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimisation, and firefly algorithms in antenna design

Abstract

Evolutionary optimization techniques with multiple objectives are applied to the design of microstrip antennas. The biologically inspired algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, Genetic Algorithms and the Firefly Algorithm, are integrated in new software, Antenna Optimizer, which combines attributes of the electromagnetic design environment of CST Microwave Studio with those of the technical computing and programming environment of MATLAB. Impedance matching and gain improvement are optimized over a predefined frequency range, resulting in a very small and compact 12 mm × 21 mm ultra-wideband antenna which was fabricated and measured.