Human-Competitive Evolvable Hardware Created by Means of Genetic Programming

Abstract

Genetic programming is a systematic method for gettingcomputers to automatically solve problems. Geneticprogramming is an extension of the idea of the geneticalgorithm into the arena of computer programs. Geneticprogramming uses the Darwinian principle of naturalselection and analogs of recombination (crossover),mutation, gene duplication, gene deletion, and certainmechanisms of developmental biology to progressivelybreed, over a series of many generations, an improvedpopulation of candidate solutions to a problem. Manyhuman-competitive results have been produced using thegenetic programming technique, including the automatedreinvention of previously patented inventions. Thischapter concentrates on the automatic synthesis of six21st century patented analog electrical circuits bymeans of genetic programming. The automatic synthesisof analog circuits is done from scratch, that is,without starting from a preexisting good design andwithout prespecifying the circuit's topology or numberor sizing of components. This chapter also brieflysummarises some examples of the automatic synthesis ofother types of complex structures by means of geneticprogramming.