Spring 2013 textbook list
The Spring 2013 ECE textbook list is available online for students.
Current Prerequisites & Course Offering
For current prerequisites for a particular course, and to view course offerings for a particular semester, see the Virginia Tech Course Timetables.
ECE 6124 Advanced Numerical Electromagnetics (3C)
A thorough coverage of numerical methods for electromagnetics, including topics on the foundations of function theory, Green's functions, mode-matching, and numerical expansion techniques in both the time and frequency domains. Emphasis will be placed on the method of moments and the finite element method, with development of the theoretical foundations of these methods.
What is the reason for this course?
Current state-of-the-art work in electromagnetics requires extensive computation of the fields in an electromagnetic system. This computation is generally done in an approximate manner using either analytical approximations or numerical processes. In practice, a combination of the two is required. This course offers the foundation and theoretical basis for many of the current numerical techniques in use. The emphasis is on the foundations of the techniques, rather than simply how to run a computer program. These foundations are necessary for the future development of computer tools in the electromagnetics area. The primary emphasis will be specifically on the moment method and the finite-element method of computation which are at the forefront of current computational techniques.
Typically offered: Spring. Program Area: Electromagnetics.
Prerequisites: 5106.
Why are these prerequisites or corequisites required?
A thorough understanding of Maxwell’s equations, boundary conditions, radiation, electromagnetic theorems and effective boundary conditions, and Green’s functions as covered in 5105 and 5106. In addition, computer programming in a scientific language, preferably FORTRAN, is required background for this course.
Department Syllabus Information:
Major Measurable Learning Objectives:- Develop appropriate computer solutions for electromagnetics problems from fundamental principles of numerical methods for EM
- Recognize the limitations on such solutions and method
- Compare the attributes of various numerical techniques.
| Course Topics | |
|---|---|
| Topic | Percentage |
| Basic equations review | 2% |
| Linear operator concepts | 3% |
| Green’s functions and integral equations | 5% |
| Waveguide iris problem | 5% |
| Mode matching | |
| Green’s function approach | |
| Method of moments | 5% |
| Wire antennas | 15% |
| Equivalent sources | |
| Singular integrals | |
| Source modeling | |
| Transient Wire Analysis | 8% |
| Time domain solution | |
| Stability and poles | |
| (singularity expansion method-SEM) | (singularity expansion method-SEM) |
| Surfaces and volumes - basic concepts | 10% |
| Coated bodies/surface impedance | 3% |
| Finite Differences (FD) 2-d LaPlace | 10% |
| Generalized FD and Finite Difference-Time Domain,FD-TD, in 2-d | 3% |
| Sparse Matrix methods and gridding concepts | 5% |
| Finite Element Method (FEM) | 20% |
| Application to LaPlace’s equation | |
| Principles for dynamics, particularly guided waves | |
| Review of other methods: Unimoment, extended boundary condition, parabolic wave equation, etc. | 3% |
| Basic Sommerfeld theory for wires (if time permits) | 3% |