ECE 61800 - Numerical Electromagnetics

Course Details

Credits: 3

Areas of Specialization:

  • Fields and Optics

Normally Offered:

Spring - even years

Campus/Online:

On-campus and online

Catalog Description:

The numerical solution of Maxwell's equations is studied. Numerical methods such as the Finite Element Method and the Finite Difference Method are presented for the solution of both differential and integral equations. Applications studied include: waveguides (microstrip, VLSI interconnects, optical, discontinuities), scattering (frequency selective surfaces, arbitrary scatterers), antennas, magnetics, semiconductor devices, and inverse scattering. Papers in the current literature are used.

Required Text(s):

None.

Recommended Text(s):

None.

Learning Outcomes

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated an ability to:

  • Formulate a mathematical description of a physical problem
  • Choose an appropriate numerical technique to discretize and solve the physical problem
  • Implement for electromagnetic problems the finite difference method, the finite element method, and the method of moments
  • Follow best mathematical writing and communication practices in a computational engineering field

Lecture Outline:

Weeks Weeks
2 Maxwell's equations, wave eqns., boundary conditions, equivalence principle, reciprocity
1 Finite difference solution of Maxwell's eqns., wave eqns.
1 Variational formulations
3 Finite element method - solution of differential equations arising in statics, waveguides, scattering (radiation boundary condition)
2 Green's identities and development of integral equations
2 Spectral domain formulation for microstrip, frequency selective surfaces, printed antennas
1 Waveguide discontinuities
1 Inverse scattering
1 Computer hardware and software issues
1 Exams

Assessment Method:

none