MODELLING AND SIMULATION
the effect of new designs and to develop complex new geometries.’ ‘In the future, we will use EM modelling and simulation to build an even deeper understanding of the induction heating process and the generated magnetic fields,’ Lohn added.
Magnetic field simulation of the 3D printed highly conductive copper inductor with Altair Flux
is approximated by multiplying the array factor and the single antenna radiation pattern to perform an efficient far-field analysis without simulating a complicated full array model. Munn said: ‘We wanted to show how to efficiently evaluate many antenna components by running a 90-second analysis that gives you reliable results, rather than running the analysis for about two days, which is what would happen if a different approach was used.’ Over the past several years, COMSOL
has focused on bringing an intuitive and easy-to-use yet powerful user interface for multiphysics modelling. Munn added: ‘Simulation speed is, of course, important to everyone as well. When it comes to EM simulation, everything is relative to the wavelength and that defines the size of problem. So, for subwavelength devices such as mobile phone antennas, simulation specialists can easily model the entire object since it does not require intensive computational resources. To address large-scale problems, COMSOL allows this process to be expedited through not only full 3D simulations but also very efficient 2D axisymmetric formulation for symmetric structures.’ With electromagnetic simulations
penetrating new domains, EM simulation engineers often face the challenge of missing electromagnetic material parameters, which suppliers are often not in a position to provide. Jakobus said: ‘So, simplified or generic material parameters must be used, or they must be obtained through measurements or from other
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separate EM simulations to be then used at a macroscopic level.’ Altair’s vision is to transform design and decision making by applying simulation, machine learning and optimisation available throughout the lifecycle of its increasingly- electronic products. ‘This is achieved by a combination of offering simulation software within the HyperWorks platform of innovation, complemented by our software related services and consultancy offerings,’ according to Jakobus.
Additive EM 3D printing company PROTIQ uses Altair’s suite of electromagnetic simulation and modeling tools to develop innovative geometries for induction heating components. These new geometries are then additively manufactured in high conductive copper. Johannes Lohn, head of research and development at PROTIQ, explained: ‘Simulating the magnetic flux and the inductive heating helps us to avoid iterative testing with expensive prototype geometries.’ Conventionally, manufactured inductor
coils are limited to rectangular or round cross sections as their effect and form of the magnetic field is well known. Lohn said: ‘These limitations in geometry can be overcome by additive manufacturing, which enables us to increase efficiency or reduce cycle times. The challenge that we face with the new freedom in inductor design, is that the magnetic flux also becomes way more complex. Simulating the heating process in 3D helps us to understand
Advanced automotive The increasing proportion of electronics in our vehicles means the automotive industry, in particular, is increasingly using EM simulation and modelling. Jean-Claude Kedzia, product manager of computational electromagnetics at ESI Group, explained: ‘The major trend that could be identified in the past few years (and is still alive and well) is the desire/willingness of industrial customers to manage fully equipped models featuring all relevant contributors to the overall electromagnetic environment and/or to the product behaviour (including the 3D structure with materials, internal wiring and cabling, electronic equipment, antennas, sensors, etc.). This is mainly observed in the automotive sector, but also in aeronautics or defence for instance.’ The major emerging application
automotive application areas include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and connected cars with intelligent traffic systems (ITS). These newer systems need to be modelled in conjunction with the traditional electronic components in a vehicle.
“Typically, some level of abstraction or model simplification is necessary when mapping the reality into an EM simulation model”
The resulting complexity means that
more than one software tool is required for this myriad of components and systems. Kedzia said: ‘From a practical standpoint (also because of the multi-scale modelling that is needed), several solvers should be used to handle all those contributors.’ This requires the introduction of chaining,
coupling and/or hybrid techniques, as well as co-simulation, which is being used in many places, according to Kedzia, who added: ‘When the customer’s’ request is to handle a fully equipped model within its real operating environment, the key challenge for the software provider is to combine various simulation tools in an easy to use but accurate manner. The key criterion is not to make it ‘perfect’ but to make it ‘smart’ with relevant assumptions duly accepted
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PROTIG GmbH
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