Numerical modeling of ESD events including both charging and discharging processes with FDTD-SPICE direct linking solver

This paper presents numerical modeling of electrostatic discharge (ESD) events with a FDTD-SPICE direct linking solver, which simultaneously solves a full-wave model for structures of analytical objects and SPICE equivalent circuit models including nonlinear lumped elements based on spark resistance formulae. This work focuses on treatment of transition from charging to discharging processes of an ESD in the FDTD-SPICE direct linking solver. A system consisting of full-wave and circuit models to deal with the transition is proposed. An application example of air-discharge occurred in two metal spheres is demonstrated. Our approach is compared with a specialized FDTD solver based on the Rompe-Weizel spark resistance formula.