Multiobjective Design Optimization of Extremely Low-Frequency Power Amplifier Considering Accuracy, Volume, and Reliability

The extremely low-frequency power amplifier (ELFPA) used in the communication system is required to have high output accuracy, small size, and high reliability under complex mission profiles simultaneously. However, the system parameters that determine these performances are coupled with each other, and it is difficult to directly select the optimal solution that meets all output performances at the same time. Thus, a new high reliable parameters design method is proposed for ELFPA system, which can simultaneously consider the relationship among multiple mutually coupled, nonlinear control variables and output performances. Moreover, the multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is used to search for the Pareto-optimal solutions and the best design. The use of this optimization algorithm aims to avoid the empirical trial-and-error method for adjusting the parameter values and quickly find the system parameter value that best trades off the total harmonic distortion (THD), volume, and lifetime of the system. To illustrate the superiority of the proposed approach, the proposed parameter design process of a 5-kW power amplifier is verified by both simulation and experimental results.