This book presents a new global optimization technique using Taguchi's method and its applications in electromagnetics and antenna engineering. Compared with traditional optimization techniques, Taguchi's optimization method is easy to implement and very efficient in reaching optimum solutions. Taguchi's optimization method is developed based on the orthogonal array (OA) concept, which offers a systematic and efficient way to select design parameters. The book illustrates the basic implementation procedure of Taguchi's optimization method and discusses various advanced techniques for performance improvement. In addition, the integration of Taguchi's optimization method with commercial electromagnetics software is introduced in the book. The proposed optimization method is used in various linear antenna arrays, microstrip filters, and ultra-wideband antenna designs. Successful examples include linear antenna array with a null controlled pattern, linear antenna array with a sector beam, linear antenna array with reduced side lobe levels, microstrip band stop filter, microstrip band pass filter, coplanar waveguide band stop filter, coplanar ultra-wide band antenna, and ultra-wide band antenna with band notch feature. Satisfactory results obtained from the design process demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed Taguchi's optimization method. Contents: Introduction / Orthagonal Arrays / Taguchi's Optimization Method / Linear Antenna Array Designs / Planar Filter Designs / Ultra-wide Band (UWB) Antenna Designs / OA-PSO Method / Conclusions

Autorentext

Wei-Chung Weng received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from National Chang-Hua University of Education, Chang-Hua, Taiwan, in 1993, the M.S. degree in electrical engineering from I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2001, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from ­e University of Mississippi, University, USA, in 2007. Since August 2008, he has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chi Nan University, Puli, Taiwan. From 1993 to 2004, he was a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Mississippi. From 1993 to 2004 and 2007 to 2008, he was a Teacher in the Department of Computer Science, Kaohsiung Vocational Technical School, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. His research interests include antennas and microwave circuits design, computational electromagnetics, electromagnetic compatibility, and optimization techniques in electromagnetics. He has published more than 20 referred journal and conference papers. Dr. Weng is a member of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society and the Microwave ­Theory and Techniques Society, and a member of the Institute of Antenna Engineers of Taiwan.