Bevin Etienne and Peter Sandborn
CALCE Electronic Products and Systems Center
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Abstract:
A genetic algorithms optimization approach is used in conjunction with a size/cost model
to study the optimum mix of passives (resistors and capacitors) to embed within a printed circuit
board on an application-specific basis. Using the models and solution approach developed in this
paper, the effect of board size on the optimum embedded passive solution (minimum cost solution) is
studied and an assessment of whether better system solutions can be found by varying or
constraining the size of the board using several different criteria has been performed. Example
optimization results for a GSM mobile phone are presented.
The analysis has shown that the system size limitation when embedded passives are used is not
only dependent on the quantity, type, and electrical properties (capacitance and resistance) of the
embeddable components, but is also very sensitive to layout specifications and the placement of the
non-embeddable parts.
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