Fuzzy Techniques To Reduce Subjectivity And Combine Qualitative And Quantitative Criteria In A Multi-Objective Design Problem

This paper uses fuzzy sets and fuzzy numbers to reduce the subjectivity in the assignment of qualitative criteria in a design problem. Through fuzzy measures and the Choquet integral it is possible to combine multiple qualitative and quantitative criteria into a single numerical value and make a proper design decision. The fuzzy measures, indicators of the importance of single criteria are determined using a linear program optimization method. The input for the linear program is only a preference order of some of the alternatives. With the verified fuzzy measures it is then possible to compute a single numerical value for the remaining alternatives. This results in an order of preferred design constructions and a recommendation for an optimized design. The theory is applied to EEG/EOG (electroencephalography/electrooculography) electrode placement for sleep monitoring by incorporating the criteria: comfort, reliability and power consumption.