Mesh termination schemes for the finite element method in electromagnetics

[摘要] The finite element method is a very efficient numerical tool to solve geometricallycomplex problems in electromagnetics. Traditionally the method isapplied to bounded domain problems, but it can also be forged to solve unboundeddomain problems using one of various mesh termination schemes.A scalar finite element solution to a typical unbounded two-dimensionalproblem is presented and the need for a proper mesh termination scheme ismotivated. Different such schemes, specifically absorbing boundary conditions,the finite element boundary integral method and infinite elements, are formulatedand implemented. These schemes are directly compared using differentcriteria, especially solution accuracy and computational efficiency.A vector finite element solution in three dimensions is also discussed and anew type of infinite element compatible with tetrahedral vector finite elementsis presented. The performance of this infinite element is compared to that ofa first order absorbing boundary condition.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University