Optimization Systems Associates

Optimization Systems Associates (OSA) was an engineering-software company founded in 1983 by John Bandler to commercialize optimization methods and algorithms developed by Bandler and his colleagues. Its work centered on computer-aided design, electromagnetic simulation, and numerical optimization for radio-frequency, microwave, and other computationally demanding engineering systems. OSA’s distinguishing contribution was the commercial implementation of space mapping optimization. The approach linked computationally efficient models with more accurate but expensive engineering simulations, allowing designers to reach useful solutions more quickly without relying exclusively on repeated high-cost simulations. This was particularly relevant to microwave circuits, waveguide structures, satellite-communications hardware, and semiconductor design problems where conventional optimization could be slow or difficult to apply. The company’s early work included a major project for COM DEV International involving the reengineering of software used to simulate and optimize waveguide multiplexers for satellite communications. During the 1980s, OSA also contributed optimization methods and algorithms to early microwave computer-aided-design products from EEsof, including Touchstone and Libra, and reengineered important products from Compact Software, including SuperCompact and Microwave Harmonica. OSA developed capabilities for manufacturing-yield-driven design as well as nominal circuit optimization. In 1985 it implemented a yield-driven CAD and optimization capability for the Raytheon Research Division. It subsequently participated as a subcontractor to Compact Software in the Raytheon/Texas Instruments Joint Venture MIMIC Program, a United States Department of Defense initiative. The intended engineering contributions included design centering, circuit optimization under component and process tolerances, and improvements to wafer and chip yield within a computer-aided engineering environment. The company introduced a succession of specialized products, including RoMPE, HarPE, OSA90, OSA90/hope, Empipe, Empipe3D, EmpipeExpress, and empath. Its Geometry Capture technology helped connect OSA software with electromagnetic simulators from HP, Ansoft, and Sonnet Software. OSA’s technology was used by organizations including Siemens, Hughes Aircraft, TRW, Raytheon, Texas Instruments, and British Telecom. Hewlett-Packard acquired OSA in 1997, after which the company became part of HP EEsof. The Empipe family subsequently served as a foundation for products associated with HFSS Designer and Momentum Optimization. OSA therefore ceased to operate as an independent company, but its methods and software lineage continued within commercial electronic-design-automation products and later technology associated with Keysight and other successor businesses.

John Bandler founded Optimization Systems Associates in 1983 to turn academic and industrial research on engineering optimization into commercial software. The company’s central technical contribution was the commercial application of space mapping, a methodology designed to combine fast approximate models with slower, higher-fidelity simulations. This enabled engineers to optimize difficult RF and microwave designs with fewer expensive simulation cycles. OSA’s first major engagement was a contract from COM DEV International to reengineer software for the simulation and optimization of waveguide multiplexers used in satellite communications. The project established the company’s focus on demanding electromagnetic and communications applications. During the 1980s, OSA supplied optimization methodology and algorithms for early microwave CAD systems produced by EEsof, including Touchstone and Libra. It also reengineered Compact Software’s principal products, SuperCompact and Microwave Harmonica. In 1985, OSA implemented a yield-driven CAD and optimization capability for Raytheon Research Division. Yield-driven design seeks solutions that remain manufacturable despite variations in component values, fabrication processes, and other production conditions. OSA later worked as a subcontractor to Compact Software in the Raytheon/Texas Instruments Joint Venture MIMIC Program, conducted under the United States Department of Defense. The planned technical contributions included design centering, optimization with tolerances, and methods intended to improve wafer and chip yield in a computer-aided engineering setting. OSA developed and marketed its own product family as its methods matured. RoMPE appeared in 1988, followed by HarPE in 1989 and OSA90 and OSA90/hope in 1991. The Empipe product line began in 1992 and expanded with Empipe3D and EmpipeExpress in 1996. In 1996, OSA also created empath, which was marketed by Sonnet Software. The company’s Geometry Capture technique allowed its tools to connect directly with major electromagnetic simulators from HP, Ansoft, and Sonnet Software, broadening the practical reach of its optimization technology. OSA technology was used by a range of industrial and research organizations, including Siemens, Hughes Aircraft, TRW, Raytheon, Texas Instruments, and British Telecom. Its applications covered microwave circuits, satellite communications, electromagnetic structures, semiconductor-related design, and other engineering systems for which accurate simulation was computationally expensive. Hewlett-Packard acquired OSA in 1997. Following the transaction, OSA became part of HP EEsof rather than continuing as an independent company. The Empipe technology family later provided a framework associated with HFSS Designer and Momentum Optimization. The company’s independent corporate history consequently ended with the acquisition, while its space-mapping concepts, software, and design-optimization techniques continued through successor electronic-design-automation products.

• 1997

  Acquired by Hewlett-Packard

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  Hewlett-Packard acquired OSA and incorporated it into HP EEsof.

• 1996

  Empipe extensions and empath developed

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  OSA introduced or developed Empipe3D, EmpipeExpress, and empath, with empath marketed by Sonnet Software.

• 1992

  Empipe introduced

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  The Empipe family entered OSA’s product portfolio, focusing on optimization and electromagnetic-design workflows.

• 1991

  OSA90 product family introduced

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  OSA introduced OSA90 and OSA90/hope for engineering design optimization.

• 1989

  HarPE introduced

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  OSA expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of HarPE.

• 1988

  RoMPE introduced

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  OSA introduced RoMPE, one of its commercial engineering-optimization software products.

• 1985

  Yield-driven CAD capability delivered

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  OSA implemented a yield-driven computer-aided-design and optimization capability for Raytheon Research Division.

• 1983

  Company founded

  [1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  John Bandler founded Optimization Systems Associates to commercialize optimization algorithms and methodologies developed by him and his colleagues.

Specialist engineering-software provider focused on accelerating accurate simulation and optimization of computationally intensive RF, microwave, electromagnetic, and semiconductor-design problems.

• Engineering optimization software · 1988

  RoMPE

  Introduced in 1988, RoMPE was part of OSA’s early commercial software portfolio for engineering modeling and optimization. It represented the company’s effort to package advanced numerical optimization methods for practical computer-aided design workflows rather than limiting them to research use.

• Engineering optimization software · 1989

  HarPE

  Introduced in 1989, HarPE was one of OSA’s specialist tools for engineering design optimization. It belonged to the company’s broader family of products aimed at making computationally intensive simulation and design tasks more efficient.

• RF and microwave design optimization · 1991

  OSA90 and OSA90/hope

  OSA90 and OSA90/hope were commercial products used by engineers implementing design optimization. They applied OSA’s optimization expertise to RF, microwave, and related computer-aided-engineering problems, including workflows where accurate simulations were costly to repeat.

• Electromagnetic design optimization · 1992

  Empipe

  Empipe was introduced in 1992 as a central part of OSA’s product family. It supported optimization-oriented electromagnetic engineering and later provided a technology framework connected with HFSS Designer and Momentum Optimization after Hewlett-Packard acquired OSA.

• Three-dimensional electromagnetic design software · 1996

  Empipe3D and EmpipeExpress

  Empipe3D and EmpipeExpress extended the Empipe family in 1996. These products addressed more advanced electromagnetic-design and optimization workflows and reflected OSA’s work on linking practical engineering tools with computational simulation.

• Electromagnetic optimization software · 1996

  empath

  Created by OSA in 1996, empath was an electromagnetic-design and optimization product that was marketed by Sonnet Software. Its development illustrates OSA’s strategy of connecting its optimization technology with established electromagnetic-simulation environments.

• 1997

  Sale to Hewlett-PackardM&A

  Background

  OSA had developed a specialized portfolio of space-mapping, electromagnetic, and engineering-optimization technologies used in commercial and defense-related design environments.

  Action taken

  Hewlett-Packard acquired the company and integrated it into HP EEsof.

  Aftermath

  OSA ceased to operate as an independent company. Elements of its Empipe technology became associated with later HP electronic-design-automation products, including technology connected with HFSS Designer and Momentum Optimization.

  Source

• 1997

  Hewlett-Packard acquired Optimization Systems Associates[1]Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Hewlett-Packard acquired OSA and integrated it into HP EEsof, carrying OSA’s optimization and electromagnetic-design technology into HP’s electronic-design-automation business.

1. 1Optimization Systems Associatesen.wikipedia.org