Comparison of time domain numerical solvers for the propagation of a Gaussian pulse inside a rectangular waveguide

Abstract

We analyse techniques for increasing the accuracy and efficiency of a finite-volume time-domain (FV-TD) cell-centred computational methodology. Various state-of-the-art spatial and temporal discretisation methods employed to solve Maxwell equations on multi-dimensional structured grid networks are investigated and the dispersive and dissipative errors inherent in those techniques examined. Both staggered and unstaggered grid approaches are considered. Staggered and unstaggered Leapfrog and Runge-Kutta time integration methods are analysed by the use of Gaussian microwave pulse simulations. The implementation of typical electromagnetic boundary conditions is also deliberated. Finally, a comparison of the classical finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method and FV-TD numerical results for a standard case study in rectangular waveguides allows the accuracy of the developed methods to be assessed.