Visualization Techniques for Computational Electromagnetics

The use of advanced computer-aided design (CAD software in conjunction with graphics workstation hardware can significantly enhance the utility of computer programs written to perform analysis of electromagnetic (EM) problems, Many of these EM analysis codes predate the development and general availability of graphics workstations and visualization software. It has been demonstrated a workstation display model of the electromagnetically radiating body aids the user to efficiently experiment with and determine model parameters. In general, the geometric models obtained using CAD software can be translated into data files appropriately formatted as input to various EM codes. Visualization hardware and software also provide efficient means for displaying quantities such as surface currents, currents on wire segments, antenna radiation patterns and EM fields using 1-,2- or 3-dimensional representations. We propose to develop a visualization software system for EM analysis that will be designed as a generic package capable of operating, with minor modification, with several EM codes and, when possible, different hardware platforms.