An Experience to Include Advanced Optimization Techniques in Microwave Undergraduate Laboratories

In this paper, a method to introduce advanced computational optimization techniques in undergraduate laboratory subjects is presented. The experience proposed consists in using evolutionary algorithms to design a microwave device (a directional coupler in this case), and then constructing a prototype following the outcome of the algorithms. The idea is to present the undergraduate student advanced techniques that it is unlikely they study in their degree, but which may be useful for them in postgraduate courses. The results of the application of the experience in the subject Antennas and Microwave Laboratory of Universidad de Alcalá, Spain, is