Automated Design and Optimization of Planar Transformers for High-Frequency Applications

The design of planar transformers for high frequency applications is a multi-physics design problem, where various parasitic elements behaving in opposite ways must be considered. Following to the analytical design process selected designs are validated and further optimized by using FEM simulations. Here the optimization process is time-consuming due to the numerous processing steps that must be performed manually. To automate and consequently, to reduce the workload for the entire design process, methodologies of Design Automation (DA) can be applied. With this work we propose to apply DA for the development of high frequency planar transformer by using 2D FEM simulations in conjunction with an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA). By automating the design process of the FEM simulations (creating the 2D models and setting up the simulations), a large number of designs with substantial changes in the model geometry can be analyzed and evaluated. The EA is used to optimize a high frequency planar transformer in terms of its parasitic elements.