Field Solvers: A Different Perspective On EMI In Power Electronics

Focus:

As computers and modeling improved, field solvers began to run Maxwell’s equations for complete circuits and board layouts for RF systems. Running Maxwell’s equations accounted for the parasitics, dielectrics, trace routing, plane layers, trace widths, thicknesses, etc. The ability to model and predict RF circuit behavior in this way cut down on design iterations, helping engineers to be more productive. In this article, the author argues that field solvers could soon have a similar impact on power electronics, helping engineers to design power circuits for low EMI and meet EMC requirements. He explains that as field solvers continue to evolve, designers could soon use these tools to simulate the E and H fields generated by power supply circuits to the point of achieving first pass design success in EMC. Discussion includes a review of Maxwell’s equations, a comparison of transmission lines and power conductors (interconnects), and a description of the present state of field solvers in performing EMI analysis in power electronics. The author also notes what further improvements are needed to enable first-pass design success in EMC.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand the potential benefits of using field solvers for EMI analysis in power supply design

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Author & Publication:

Paul L. Schimel, Microchip Technology, Chicago, Ill., How2Power Today, Oct 15 2019

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