Impressions of MEFiSTo-2D Classic
- Read a more technical description of MEFiSTo-2D Classic
- See a comparison between MEFiSTo-2D Classic and 2DTLM, its MS-DOS ancestor
- Visit a gallery of displays generated by MEFiSTo-2D Classic
- See a slide show * with MEFiSTo-2D Classic animations
- View our list of clients.
- Read the Dialog in Field Space between Dr. Faustus and MEFiSTo-2D
* You need a high-speed data link and a high-definition monitor.
Technical Parameters of the MEFiSTo-2D Classic Electromagnetic Simulator
The MEFiSTo-2D Classic simulator is a Multi-purpose Electromagnetic Field Simulation Tool for the analysis of electromagnetic structures of arbitrary shape. It employs the two-dimensional Transmission Line Modeling (TLM) method and solves transient as well as time-harmonic electromagnetic field problems. A uniform shunt-connected mesh with square cells is used to model the field space.
Background
The term “2D” means that this tool is capable of solving problems where all field quantities depend on one or two space dimensions. This includes genuinely three-dimensional TE and TM situations such as rectangular waveguide structures and plane wave scattering. In addition, many 3D problems can be reduced to, or approximated by, a 2D model. That is the main reason why MEFiSTo-2D Classic is extremely versatile as an educational and investigative tool.
The TLM algorithm is solved in the time domain. Hence, the time response of a structure to arbitrary excitation in 2D space and time is computed. Frequency characteristics such as S-parameters and return loss are extracted during or after the simulation via discrete Fourier transform. MEFiSTo-2D Classic can also visualize the time evolution of the electromagnetic fields and dissipated power in a generated-solution mode for field animation, both forward and backward in time.
The user interface of MEFiSTo-2D Classic has the look and feel of a typical Windows application. If you are already familiar with Windows 95+ or NT operating systems you can explore MEFiSTo-2D Classic immediately.
Technical Features
- The topology of an electromagnetic structure, including boundaries, dielectric and magnetic properties, losses, nonlinear subregions, sources, and output probes or regions are entered with the mouse directly into the discrete space (a uniform TLM mesh with square cells) just like in a standard drawing program. The user defines the size of the unit cell (Mesh Parameter Delta_L). All space dimensions are thus normalized to that unit.
- The excitation function can either be selected from a menu of standard waveforms (Dirac, sine, raised cosine, Gaussian pulse, bandlimited signal, etc.), or may be specified in a user-generated ASCII text file.
- The time response of the structure can be observed and displayed simultaneously at up to three output probes, together with their discrete Fourier transforms (magnitude and phase of the frequency response).
- Alternatively, any of the three field components of a scalar electromagnetic problem can be visualized in the entire structure or in a part of it, for 3D dynamic field animation. Power dissipated in a lossy medium can be visualized as well.
- Time and frequency responses, excitation waveforms, scattering parameters and field pictures can be displayed and printed. Data can be stored in various data files for subsequent simulation, modification, analysis, processing, or for continuation of a task at a later time.
- Advanced features include modeling of frequency-dispersive boundaries, in particular modal non-TEM absorbing boundary conditions, and partitioning of structures in the time domain using Johns Matrix techniques and Diakoptics, as well as the recursive generation of modal absorbing Johns Matrix boundaries. Models for active diodes and varactor diodes are also included. Special cornernodes for error correction at sharp edges and corners are available, and a special electric wall (variable link) has been implemented as well. The position of that wall can be programmed to change in time, thus modeling a moving boundary.
In summary, the MEFiSTo-2D Classic Simulator combines the functions of a time domain reflectometer, a microwave/millimeter-wave vector network analyzer, a spectrum analyzer, a signal processor, and a video system. It is the engine of a menu-driven “Virtual Electromagnetics Laboratory”.
MEFiSTo-2D Classic is a modernized and improved version of the MS-DOS program “The Electromagnetic Wave Simulator” published since 1991 by John Wiley and Sons. MEFiSTo-2D Classic can read all files created with this version and incorporates all its features. In addition, a number of improvements and new features have been added. These are summarized in the table below.
Comparison between 2D-TLM* (MS DOS) and MEFiSTo-2D Classic (Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME +)
| * | Hoefer, W.J.R. and P.P.M. So. The Electromagnetic Wave Simulator, A Visual Electromagnetics Laboratory based on the 2D TLM Method, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK., 1991, ISBN 0-471-93075-X |
| Feature | 2D-TLM* (MS DOS) | MEFiSTo-2D™ Classic; (Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME+) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum mesh size | 100 x 63 | 300 x 200 |
| Maximum number of time steps | 8,192 | 64,000 |
| Normalized computation time per scattering | 1 | 0.6 |
| Corner Node (Singularity correction) | No | Yes |
| Variable Link (Moving boundary) | No | Yes |
| Gaussian-modulated sine/cosine excitation | No | Yes |
| Graphic display resolution | EGA/VGA | Windows1 |
| Select-and-Delete Element feature | No | Yes |
| Element property check feature | No | Yes |
| Port re-assignment feature for output probes | No | Yes |
| Wall characterization by normalized impedance | No | Yes |
| Wall characterization by absolute impedance | No | Yes |
| Wall characterization by wave reflection coefficient | No | Yes |
| Impedance transformer wall | No | Yes |
| Field envelope display option | No | Yes |
| Dissipated power display option | No | Yes |
| Waveguide and Microstrip Wizards | No | Yes |
| Export of field distribution map | No | Yes |
| Direct printing support | No | Yes |
| Direct plotting support | Yes | Yes2 |
| Direct client window screen capture | No | Yes |
- Minimum resolution recommended is VGA graphics card.
- With special Windows plotting function enabled.
Note: MEFiSTo-2D Classic can open and run all files created with all versions of 2D-TLM. However, once these files have been saved again by MEFiSTo-2D Classic, they are no longer compatible with 2D-TLM.
For more information contact marketing@faustcorp.com.
