Modular Design—A Special Case in Nonlinear Programming

The optimal design of a module under a special set of circumstances is considered. These circumstances prevail in the design of a module for logistical applications and sometimes in modular equipment design in electronic technology. Mathematically, the problem considered is given R_αβ ≧ 0, find positive B_α, m_β such that B_αm_β ≧ R_αβ, α = 1, 2, …, n, β = 1, 2, …, k and such that W = ∑_βm_β∑_αB_α is a minimum. It is attacked by first examining the primal problem, then finding a dual problem, and finally finding an algorithm for solving the dual.