The application of the finite-difference time-domain method to EMC analysis

Abstract

The paper provides a tutorial of the FDTD method and its application to the full-wave analysis of practical EMC problems. The FDTD method is a versatile technique and a powerful tool that can allow for the efficient and accurate simulation of electromagnetic interaction and radiation for EMC analysis. The paper begins with an introduction to the FDTD method based on the traditional Yee-algorithm. For the analysis of radiating structures, various absorbing boundary conditions, including the novel perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition, and their relative performances are described. Techniques of computing radiated fields from the time-dependent fields are also be discussed. Included in this discussion are the limitations of modeling complex structures using regular lattice grids, as well as the benefits of advanced FDTD algorithms that utilize irregular and unstructured grids. Acceleration techniques and the efficient implementation of the FDTD method on high performance computers are also of concern. Finally, a number of practical EMC problems analyzed using the FDTD method are presented.