The multilevel fast multipole algorithm for electromagnetic compatibility analysis

Abstract

This paper studies the application of the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) to the analysis of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems. For structures composed of complex surfaces, wires, and interconnections of the latter, the MLFMA achieves the same accuracy as the classical method of moments, but requires far less simulation time and memory resources. In this paper, the MLFMA is used to predict the input impedance of a modules-on-backplane structure. Experimental results are used to validate the algorithm. Comparison with other numerical techniques (the classical method of moments, the finite element method, and the finite-difference time-domain method) shows that the MLFMA is the most effective technique in solving large-scale EMC problems.