The Application of Transmission-Line Modeling (TLM) to Electromagnetic Compatibility Problems

C. Christopoulos and J. L. Herring

IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, May1993, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp 185-191.

Abstract

The application of transmission-line modeling (TLM) to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems is described. The essential features of the TLM method and its relevance to EMC problems are briefly described. The manner in which an EMC problem can be modeled using TLM is outlined, and applications in three important areas are presented. Results are shown for a spherical dipole antenna placed near conducting walls, where a detailed model of the antenna and the surrounding space is used to determine the radiation resistance and its variation with proximity to the walls. The electromagnetic emission pattern from a typical device under test placed in a practical environment has been determined by simulation. The current induced on wires placed either side of a thin conducting plate has been obtained by TLM, and the results were compared with measurements. Although a relatively coarse mesh of points has been used, the comparisons are very encouraging. Further developments to the code are discussed, which will allow a more efficient treatment of fine features and enhance the power of the method to solve realistic EMC problems.