Martin Timm

It is widely accepted that three dimensional numerical simulations of electromagnetic fields are essential to the success of in the design of passive components. Obviously simulating a virtual prototype is much cheaper than building hardware and measuring it, in particular if the design cycle time is considered as well. It is arguable whether complex design be possible at all without electromagnetic (EM) field simulation tools, without automatic optimization, without the possibility to visualize the previously invisible. But saying “all right, let’s go and buy a 3D EM field simulator and everything will be fine” is probably not sufficient. A discussion of the pros and cons of different methods follows here.