Learning Center

Using Parametric Sweeps to Perform Optimization

In Part 2 of this course on optimization, we start by picking up where we left off in Part 1, where we built and computed a model of a microresistor beam. We encourage you to follow along with us step by step in the software, using the microresistor_beam_start model file, as we perform parametric optimization on this example model. The objective in this demonstration is to remove material and determine the optimal dimensions for a cylindrical hole cut out from the microresistor beam, such that the resistance of the device is close to 100 milliohms. We begin by discussing how to approach this optimization problem using a parametric sweep. This helps us determine which parameters to define and where to implement them in the model setup. We then talk about the Parametric Sweep study node in more detail, including how it serves as an initial exploration of the design space and how it can be used strategically to narrow down appropriate ranges for different aspects of your optimization problem, such as the control variables. After performing a parametric sweep for a single parameter, we perform another parametric sweep with an additional parameter.