Optimizing color picture tubes by high-cost nonlinear programming

In this paper we discuss the application of optimization techniques for the design of several parts of the color picture tube, the key component of television sets and computer monitors. These projects have been carried out for Philips Display Components in Eindhoven. Philips developed several computer simulation models of picture tube parts. Designers use these models to simulate the physical behavior of a particular part design. Depending on the amount of detail in the model, the running time of a typical simulation ranges from one up to 10 hours. Tube designers are confronted with the problem of finding settings for a large number of design parameters that are optimal with respect to several simulated tube characteristics. This problem can be modeled as a so-called high-cost nonlinear programming problem. This paper reports on the successful application of our four-step compact model approach to solve this problem. The presented results are based on four projects in which we optimized picture tube parts. Among the realized benefits for Philips are a design improvement of 30% and a time-to-market reduction of 50–60%.