Automated Generation of Electromagnetic Computer Aided Design (CAD) Package Computational Meshes

Although great strides have been taken to generate and render problem geometries using computer automated design packages, as well as advancements in the the development of computational electromagnetics codes to solve Maxwell's equations, the link between the two is still very weak. Practical geometries have complex geometric features, abrupt changes in electromagnetic constitutive parameters, and possibly attached discrete loads. Furthermore, Maxwell solvers have different basis functions, modeling capabilities, and modeling constraints that must be satisfied. Automated interfaces developed for other analyses such as thermal or structural modeling, are not well equipped to handle these issues. This activity will develop an automated maintainable expandable interface between BRL-CAD and four method of moments codes: Electromagnetic Surface Patch (ESP), Triangular Surface Patch (TSP/MoM) and two next generation method of moments codes, spatial decomposition (SD/MoM) and PARAMOM. BRL-CAD is an inexpensive high quality package produced and maintained by the Ballistic Research Laboratories. It is well documented, the source code is available, and a geometry interrogation toolkit is provided. The selected Maxwell solvers are available from universities or have been developed under government funding. An augmented EMCC benchmark problem set will serve as test cases. Anticipated Benefits/Potential Applications - Several government funded electromagnetics initiatives are underway at one Of WPAFB and the other NASA. An automated mesh generation capability will nicely complement these activities. Powerful electromagnetiC3 design codes are now becoming available on workstations and can be used in the private sector to design microwave components, to design consumer appliances, and to assess electromagnetic health risks. The interface described in this program could be sold commercially to SUIDIDort all of these activities.