A new optimization algorithm applied in electromagnetics — Maxwell’s equations derived optimization (MEDO)

In this paper, a novel global optimization algorithm, named as Maxwell’s equations derived optimization (MEDO), is proposed. Using the Maxwell’s equations to analyse the behaviors of the time-varying current, the Ampere force is obtained from Fleming’s left hand rule. MEDO introduces an ‘Ampere force’ term, which is derived from Maxwell’s equations and is rigorous in physics, to drive the variables to the global optimal solution in the search space. In addition, introducing ‘gravity’ to MEDO can increase the stability of the optimizations. 11 classical benchmarks are tested, and results show that MEDO can always converge to numerical optimal solutions. To evaluate the proposed MEDO in solving the electromagnetic problems, four practical engineering applications are considered including the linear antenna array synthesis, frequency selected surface optimization, numerical dispersion reduction for finite-difference method, and parameters extraction of typical waveform. These examples are significant in electromagnetics, but tough to be solved because of their high dimensionality and strong nonlinearity. Numerical results show that MEDO can outperform several classic optimization methods, like wind driven optimization (WDO) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Therefore, the electromagnetics-inspired MEDO is robust and of great potential in solving the electromagnetic optimization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]