EuCAP 2011 - Convened Papers

Making a Transition from University Research Lab

to the World of Commercial Software for EM
Modeling
Raj Mittra*
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EMC Lab, Penn State University
319 EE East, University Park, PA 16802, USA
rajmittra@ieee.org

Commercial EM simulation softwares are invaluable (DM) method, and examine the issue of integrating these
tools without which the engineers, who are engaged in algorithms in the commercial codes. To develop a better
designing antennas, microwave circuits, RF packages, and understanding of this process and to appreciate why
systems utilizing these devices, simply cannot survive. This is sometimes there is a relatively long time lag before such
because the number of real-world problems that we can solve integrations are in place, we review briefly some of the
by using analytical techniques is very limited indeed. To be intricacies of the commercial code development world, to get
sure, the commercial software world is very crowded, and the a feel of ‘what makes it tick.’
competition is stiff. However, most of these software modules Finally, we will propose a paradigm using which the
are based upon algorithms that have their unique flavor, and universities, where much of the cutting edge research is
this not only serves to give them a unique identity, but also carried out before it permeates into the commercial world, can
makes them especially suited for a class of problems for accelerate the process of integration of the algorithms they
which they offer a distinct advantage. As an example, a develop. When implemented, such an integration would
computer code based upon the Method of Moments (MoM) is certainly be of great benefit to the user, who is often frustrated
best suited for perfectly conducting objects, for which it is by the limitations of the commercial codes for certain types of
typically more efficient in terms of CPU time and memory problems that have been cropping up lately. Some examples
than its counterparts, which utilize Finite Methods such as the of such problems are nanowires and nanotubes that are
Finite Element Method (FEM) or the Finite Difference Time finding increasing number of applications, biosensors
Domain (FDTD) technique. On the other hand, the Finite mounted on complex platforms, and the Square Kilometer
Methods can handle arbitrary geometries and material Array, the chief protagonist of the 21st century antenna world.
parameters with greater ease than can the MoM. Similarly, The design engineers typically find that the existing
certain computer codes are strictly applicable in the frequency commercial codes have severe limitations when handling
domain, whereas others are configured only for time domain some of these problems, and although there is a considerable
analysis. Of course the use of Fourier transformation of the amount of activity in the academic world attempting to
results, obtained either in the time or in the frequency domain, discover techniques for solving them, the road to transition
enables one to go back and forth from one to the other. them into the commercial world is not always paved very
Nonetheless, depending upon the nature of the problem, the smoothly or in a timely manner.
frequency domain approach may be better suited than its time
domain counterpart, or vice versa. In addition, it is not
uncommon for these software vendors to offer multiple
choices to the user, and let them decide which one of these is
best suited for the problem at hand.
It is sometimes interesting to carry out a study of the
comparative performance of the various codes and benchmark
the figures for their memory usage, as well as CPU time, to
solve the same test problem. In this paper we will begin by
presenting a Table that summarizes the comparative
performances of a number of preeminent commercial EM
solvers that are on the market. Such benchmarking can
provide valuable information to the user, who is engaged in
the process of making decisions regarding the choice of the
software for the type of problem that he/she wants to solve.
Next we will review some of the recent developments in
the CEM world, such as the Fast Multipole Method (FMM),
Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method and the Dipole Moment

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