Genetic design of analog IIR filters with variable time delays for optically controlled microwave signal processors

This paper presents the application of genetic algorithms to the design of analog IIR filters with variable time delays-specific examples for tunable optically controlled microwave signal processors. In addition to the IIR filter coefficients as the standard design parameters, the time delays can be optimized. Because of physical constraints, specific restrictions of the design parameters, however, have to be obeyed. In order to make use of the additional freedom of variable time delays and to fulfil the design restrictions, non-standard design procedures are needed. To this end, the applicability of several variants of genetic algorithms to analog IIR filter design is studied. Experimental results and a comparison to standard design techniques are given that demonstrate the excellent properties of the genetic design methodology.