Computational Electromagnetics and Mobile Apps for Electromagnetics Education

Abstract

This chapter presents the computational electromagnetics (CEM) methods and mobile apps for electromagnetics (EM) education. Some CEM methods in time domain are reviewed including the conditionally stable explicit 3-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and unconditionally stable implicit 3-D FDTD methods. For the latter, the fundamental alternating direction implicit (ADI) and locally one-dimensional (LOD) FDTD methods are highlighted for their concise, simple, and efficient update equations with matrix-operator-free right-hand sides. Further developments using more efficient explicit and implicit multiple 1-D FDTD and coupled-line FDTD methods are also discussed. Several educational mobile apps are described for enhanced teaching and learning of EM on various topics including EM polarization, plane wave reflection and transmission, microstrip circuits, transmission lines, and coupled-line structures, etc. These mobile apps feature convenient and effective touch-based interactivity to aid teaching and learning. They are incorporated with innovative CEM methods that are efficient and fast-forwardable using unconditionally stable implicit methods. Interactive simulations and insightful visualizations of wave propagation are provided on the mobile devices. Besides mobile devices, 3-D displays such as 3-D TV may be supplemented for enhanced EM education as well. Some educational study and survey results using mobile devices/3-D TV are discussed.