Optimization of design tolerances using nonlinear programming

A possible mathematical formulation of the practical problem of computer-aided design of electrical circuits (for example) and systems and engineering designs in general, subject to tolerances onk independent parameters, is proposed. An automated scheme is suggested, starting from arbitrary initial acceptable or unacceptable designs and culminating in designs which, under reasonable restrictions, are acceptable in the worst-case sense. It is proved, in particular, that, if the region of points in the parameter space for which designs are both feasible and acceptable satisfies a certain condition (less restrictive than convexity), then no more than 2k points, the vertices of the tolerance region, need to be considered during optimization.