A Reduced Order Model for Finite Element Method in Time Domain Electromagnetic Simulations

Abstract

Time domain simulations of electromagnetic problems are highly valuable in engineering applications, as they allow for the analysis of transient behavior and broadband responses. These simulations utilize time stepping schemes, where each solution is derived from the solutions of previous time steps. Although each time step involves relatively straightforward computations, the high dimensionality of the problem can significantly increase the overall computational time. This work introduces a reduced order model (ROM) for finite element method in time domain (FEMTD) simulations, specifically applied to microwave devices. The proposed methodology, called ROMTD, enables efficient analysis of time evolution in electromagnetic problems while substantially reducing computational demands. Its main advantage is the use of a much smaller number of degrees of freedom (DoFs) to capture the same electromagnetic dynamics, compared to the large number of DoFs typically required by traditional methods such as finite difference in time domain (FDTD) and FEMTD. To construct the ROM basis, a novel criterion for selecting FEMTD solutions is introduced, ensuring that only the most relevant snapshots are retained. The capabilities of the ROMTD approach are demonstrated through various examples, including a quad-mode dielectric resonator filter, a side-coupled four-pole filter in quarter-mode substrate integrated waveguide technology, and a microstrip dual-band bandpass planar filter. These examples illustrate the potential of the proposed ROMTD strategy to efficiently solve time evolution problems in electromagnetics, providing significant reduction in computation time without compromising accuracy.