Genetic Algorithm (GA)-Based Inclinometer Layout Optimization

This paper presents numerical simulation results of an airflow inclinometer with sensitivity studies and thermal optimization of the printed circuit board (PCB) layout for an airflow inclinometer based on a genetic algorithm (GA). Due to the working principle of the gas sensor, the changes of the am...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2015-04, Vol.15 (4), p.9136-9155
Main Authors: Liang, Weijie, Zhang, Ping, Chen, Xianping, Cai, Miao, Yang, Daoguo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airflow
airflow inclinometer
Ambient temperature
Circuit boards
Computer engineering
Computer simulation
Genetic algorithms
Heat
Inclinometers
Optimization
Printed circuits
sensitivity study
Sensors
Silicon wafers
Simulation
Temperature
thermal layout
Traveling salesman problem
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Summary:This paper presents numerical simulation results of an airflow inclinometer with sensitivity studies and thermal optimization of the printed circuit board (PCB) layout for an airflow inclinometer based on a genetic algorithm (GA). Due to the working principle of the gas sensor, the changes of the ambient temperature may cause dramatic voltage drifts of sensors. Therefore, eliminating the influence of the external environment for the airflow is essential for the performance and reliability of an airflow inclinometer. In this paper, the mechanism of an airflow inclinometer and the influence of different ambient temperatures on the sensitivity of the inclinometer will be examined by the ANSYS-FLOTRAN CFD program. The results show that with changes of the ambient temperature on the sensing element, the sensitivity of the airflow inclinometer is inversely proportional to the ambient temperature and decreases when the ambient temperature increases. GA is used to optimize the PCB thermal layout of the inclinometer. The finite-element simulation method (ANSYS) is introduced to simulate and verify the results of our optimal thermal layout, and the results indicate that the optimal PCB layout greatly improves (by more than 50%) the sensitivity of the inclinometer. The study may be useful in the design of PCB layouts that are related to sensitivity improvement of gas sensors.
ISSN:1424-8220
1424-8220
DOI:10.3390/s150409136