Space Mapping Optimization for Engineering Design

This contribution describes the Space Mapping (SM) technique which is relevant to engineering optimization. The SM technique utilizes different models of the same physical object. Similarly to approximation, interpolation, variable-complexity, response surface modeling, surrogate models, and related techniques, the idea is to replace computationally intensive simulations of an accurate model by faster though less accurate evaluations of another model. In contrast, SM attempts to establish a mapping between the input parameter spaces of those models. This mapping allows us to redirect the optimization-related calculations to the fast model while preserving the accuracy and confidence offered by a few well-targeted evaluations of the accurate model. The SM technique has been successfully applied in the area of microwave circuit design. In principle, however, it is applicable to a wide range of problems where models of different complexity and computational intensity are available, although insight into engineering modeling in the specific application area might be essential.