IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES,VOL. MTT-35, NO.

1, JANUARY 1987

60

Short Papers
On the Relationship
Between TLM
Methods for Maxwells

and Finite-Difference
Equations

and
9=;

[1

(5)

~]

PETER B. JOHNS
p=[l
Abstract
TLM

It

is shown

method

equivalent

that

is operated

if

the

in a certain

to a finite-difference

comparisons

between

expanded

node

way, then

method.

Some

it can be numerically

comments

I]T

(6)

~=r

three-dimensional
are made on

where

1 is an identity

(7)

matrix

and where

YO=2E,

the two approaches.

Y=4+YO+G0
I.
It

has been

recognized

circumstances,
difference

for

the TLM

method,

method

in

TLM

could

analysis

that

approach,
be regarded

also leads

numbers
a mode

as inefficient.

to similar

[2][4]

can also

identical
of

for

and where

Al

is the space step.

The scattering
x-directed

for a series node is also given in [5]; thus, for an

series node

to the

operation

A simplification

conclusions

in

it is shown

TLM

AND FINITE-DIFFERENCE

(8)

I$=HX

for

of the

q=?

two-dimensional

methods.
II.

ti
Eo

to the finite-

node model

such

GO =oAl

particular

has been established

produces
but

under

[1]. In this paper,

expanded

a way

finite-difference

that

can be similar

for diffusion

the three-dimensional

be operated

some time

and the relationship

the case of the model

that

INTRODUCTION

p=

ALGORITHMS

;[-1

:[1

1 1

-1

-1

-1

(9)

-1]

(lo)

ZO]T

r
The TLM

algorithm

may be expressed
*v=
~+lv

and

entire

represent

network

as

~=1

snv

where

= Cnv.

the incident

(1)

and reflected

at the time interval

Zo=2p,

pulses in the

n. C is a connection

Z=4+Z0.
Following

if port

i is connected

C,l = O

otherwise.

to port

the development

each scattering
It is always
of incident

with

.+10

the scattering

matrices

zone or node as blocks

possible

associated

with

on the diagonal.

to express the field

quantities

@ in terms

algorithm

=Kp.+

It may be possible

quantities

E%, E,,

Ez,

and

indeed

making
Thus,

this

can be done

up the expanded
for

scattering

provided

(3)

S can be expressed

the shunt

and

series nodes

where

a is a constant,

terms

of

routine

+,

(12)

+9 CrCrn-lV

with

as (3) and provided

the

field

.+14
an

x-directional

There
(4)

=9Cpn4+9CrCpn-l@

are many

expanded
instead

mesh

these

solely

conditions,

in
the

(13)

+a.-1$

Manuscript received March 3, 1986; revised July 22, 1986.

only
Engineering,

0018 -9480/87/0100-0060$01

pulses incident

incident

at only

at series nodes at one-half

Suppose
time

ways of operating

and there is much

of having

to have pulses
The author is with the Departmerit of Electrical and Electronic
University of Nottingham,
Nottingham NG7 2RD, England
IEEE Log Number 8611018.

can be expressed
Under

shunt

node in the mesh [5]

+=EX

the routine
quantities.

becomes

node mesh.
associated

as a

4.

CrCr = aI

Xq+r
for

be expressed

Hz,

to express S as
S=p

cannot

+9 CrCpn-1+

and Hz at all the nodes in the mesh.

~,,

method

solely in terms of the quantities

(2)
Thus,

of all the field

combined

Thus
.+14

@ is the vector

maybe

=9C(lJ.@+rnV).

r + O, so the TLM

two-time-level

pulses, i.e.

4s=qv.
Here

in [1], (l)(3)

Here,
S is a super matrix

matrix

such that
C,j = 1

(11)

that

t; then,

the TLM

.00 @1987 IEEE

for the

in (12). One way,

at all nodes simultaneously,

shunt

nodes

at one instant

is
and

time step later.

the pulses are incident

substituting

algorithm

to explore

(4)(11)

upon
in

(12)

the shunt
gives

one

nodes at
of

the

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES. VOL. MIT-35,

NO.

1, JANUARY 1987

S. Akhtarzad and P. B. Johns, The solution of Maxwells equations in

three space dimensions and time by the TLM method of numerical
analysis, Proc. Inst. Elec. Eng., vol. 122, no. 12, pp. 134&1348, Dec.
1975.
W. J. R. Hoefer, The transmission-line
matrix methodTheory
and
applications,
IEEE
Trans.
Microwave
Theoiy
Tech., vol. MTT-33,
Oct.
1985.
G. E. Mariki and C. Yeh, Dynamic three-dimensionaf TLM analysis of
rnicrostriplines
on aniostropic substrate, IEEE
Trans,
Mzcrowave
Theory Tech., vol. MT1-33, Sept. 1985.
S. Alrhtarzad and P. B. Joims, Generalized
elements for the TLM
method of numencaf analysis: Proc. Inst. Elec. Eng., vol. 122, no. 12,
DD. 13491352.
Dec. 1975.
A-. Taflove and M. E. Brodwin, Numerical
solution of steady-state
electromagnetic scattering problems using the time-dependent Maxwells
equations , IEEE
Trans.
Mzcrowaue
Theory
Tech.,
vol. MTT-23, pp.
623-630, Aug. 1975.
K. S. Yee, Numerical
solution of initial boundary value problems
involving Maxwells equations in isotropic media, IEEE Trans. ,4 ntenvol. AP-14, pp. 302-307, May 1966.
nas Propagat.,
P. Saguet and E. Pie, Utilisation
dun nouveau tvue de doeud dam la
meth~de TLM en 3 dimensions, Electron.
Lert.~ vol. 18, no. 11, pp.
478-480. Mav 1982.

[2]

[3]

[4]

tl?y(i, j-t+,k)
+[Ez(i,

j,k+*)

, E=(i,

j+l,

+2,_At/,~x(i,j+

[6]

;,k++)

,_~t,zHX(i,
This

[5]

k+~)}

j+~,,fc

-!-~).

[7]

is the same as one of the finite-difference

by Taflove

and Brodwin

original

formulation

derived

in

[7]. The

a similar

simplification

in [6] in their

way.

remaining

The

five

[8]

can be

method

modification

COMPARISONS BETWEEN TLM

used

of Yees

equations

two-dimensional

of the above, requiring

III.

equations

implementation

is

A. Amer, he condensed node TLM method and its application to

transmission in power systems; Ph.D. thesis, Nottingham Univ., 1980.
P. B. Johns, New symmetrical condensed node for three-dimensional

[9]

of (9)-(11),

61

[10]

solution of electromagnetic-wave
problems
vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 162-164, Jan. 30, 1986.

AND FINITE

by TLM,

Electron.

Lat.,

DIFFERENCES
Great
for

care has to be taken

the

much

TLM

method

more

information

dimensional

TLM

field

This,

for example,

quantities
as fine

boundaries
then

allows

required

need

simultaneously

if

as in finite

at all nodes,

differences,

nodes

finer
load,

than in finite
it should

if the pulses

then boundaries

and (3) requires

Comparison
balance

much less work

of the algorithm

between

complexity.

difference

transmission

more

differencing.

The

engineer

a conceptual

with

on a digital

efficiency

important

advantage

computer.

of

multiplication.

and program

The comparison

is a physical

model

using

model

using

is that

it

provides

can be simulated
should include

the

exactly

the model-

terms

and

algorithms

of the field

which

quantities

cannot

easily factorized

as in (3). Examples

condensed

node

or punctual

condensed

node [10], which

six field

quantities

In the authors
method
other.

node

view, the TLM

each other

Each leads to a better

expressed
matrix

in

is not

elementary

circufar

inner conductor

the irregular
condnctor

outer

which

extreme

of

conductors
equivalent

eccentric

of condensing

wire,

method
rather

and the finite

understanding

compete

Considerable

difference

of a circular

with

[1]-[9].

each

of the other.

P. B. Johns and G. Butler, The consistency and accuracy of the TLM

method for diffusion and its relationship to existing methods, Int. J.
Numerical
Methods
Eng., vol. 19, pp. 1549-1554, 1983.

for

factor

circular

as art irregular

same formnla

of
of a

In this approach,

by an eccentric

lines. The valWy

work

enter

one at the

is adapted

for

outer

valnes of eccentricity
of the formnfa

of the

is confirmed

inner

ratios

INTRODUCTION

has been done on the determination

impedance

Elementary

small

outer conductor.

shapes by determining

coaxial

line consisting

restrfts.

characteristic

than

and the

for the determination

transmission

is replaced

I.

all

in space.

is presented

and an inegtdar

has the same shield

a small

PAN

of a coaxial

condnctor

of different

by numericaf

forotofa

impedance

of this are the asymmetrical

REFERENCES
[1]

Abstract -Arr
the characteristic

[8], [9] and the symmetrical

have the advantage

to one point

complement

be readily

because the scattering

Inner Conductor

SHENG-GEN

TLM

ing philosophy
and not just the algorithm
details.
Another
advantage of the TLM approach is that it can lead to
models

Circular

or data

between

is a mathematical
TLM

of (2)

but often there is a

difference

model which

Approximate
Determination
of the Characteristic
Impedance of the Coaxial System Consisting of
an Irregular Outer Conductor and a

in assessing arith-

than a matrix

the latter

halfway

description

that implementation

is that the former

lines, while

Also,

is

are incident

can efist

is interesting,

computational

-A much

and finite

differences.

be recognized

at any

lines, not four,

nodes as well as at nodes, and the boundary

is again
metical

to

In two dimensions,

be at alternate

Alternatively,

series node,
for TLM

au average of two stores for link

at each node.

between

and

description

at nodes

only

since

In the three-

in the above way, there are

differences.

only

resources

method

at each shunt

the boundary

as for finite

pulses

Thus,

computer

in the former.

operated

available

are described

incident

instant.

in comparing

the finite-difference

is available

method

three

be twice

with

of a coaxial

conductor
formulas

of inner

trywnission

and a noncircular

of the

line consisting
outer

conductor

for some shapes have been available

and outer

conductors.

A formula

for

Manuscript received April 23, 1985; revised August 1S, 1986.

The author is with the Department of Radio Electronics, Shanghai University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
IEEE Log Number 8611021,

0018 -9480/87/0100-0061$01,00

01987

IEEE