A finite element tool for the electromagnetic analysis of braided cable shields

Abstract

In this work we present a finite element tool for the electromagnetic analysis of braided cable shields. This tool is able to calculate the transfer impedance of a cable shield and it can be applied to a wide variety of situations where complex geometries and materials may be present. Also, it can help in the development, validation and improvement of novel, or existent, analytical models. Analytical models are computationally less expensive than a numerical approach but, they may be not available for some types of cable shields and, when available, they may be hard to compare directly against measurements. On the other hand, we can easily compare the analytical results against the numerical tool because all the parameters involved in the comparative are exactly known. Therefore, our computer tool offers a new extra criterion to assess whether a model is correct or not. Moreover, it allows studying in great detail the behavior of the fields and currents in and around the shield. This feature makes the tool very useful for gaining new insights into the physics behind the shielding process. Program summaryProgram title: BraWiGG (Braided Wire Geometry Generator)Catalogue identifier: AEVT_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEVT_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.htmlNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 109410No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 19308482Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: Tcl/Tk.Computer: Any computer with Microsoft Windows installed.Operating system: Microsoft Windows.RAM: Problem dependent. BraWiGG required only a few MB (<100 MB) to generate the CAD geometries showed in this paper.Classification: 10.External routines: GiD [2] and ERMES [1]Subprograms used:Cat IdTitleReferenceAEPV_v1_0ERMESCPC 184 (2013) 2588Nature of problem: Electromagnetic analysis of cable shields (shielding quality, transfer impedance).Solution method: BraWiGG is a plug-in of GiD [2]. It generates a CAD geometry that is used by ERMES [1] to calculate the transfer impedance of a cable shield with the finite element method.Running time: Problem dependent. BraWiGG needed only a few seconds (<5 min) to generate the CAD geometries showed in this paper.