Computational Electromagnetics - Validation

Validation

Validation is one of the key issues facing electromagnetic simulation users. The user must understand and master the validity domain of its simulation. The measure is, "how far from the reality are the results?"

Answering this question involves three steps:

• Comparison between simulation results and analytical formulation—For example, assessing the value of the radar cross section of a plate with the analytical formula:

where A is the surface of the plate and is the wavelength. The next curve presenting the RCS of a plate computed at 35 GHz can be used as reference example.

• Cross-comparison between codes—One example is the cross comparison of results from method of moments and asymptotic methods in their validity domains.

• Comparison of simulation results with measurement—The final validation step is made by comparison between measurements and simulation. For example, the RCS calculation and the measurement of a complex metallic object at 35 GHz. The computation implements GO, PO and PTD for the edges.

Validation processes can clearly reveal that some differences can be explained by the differences between the experimental setup and its reproduction in the simulation environment.