Simulation of magnetic components in electric circuits using a coupled Spice-finite element analysis approach

This paper shows how magnetic components modeled using the finite element method can be integrated into a Spice simulation of the circuit using a direct coupling approach. Previous methods have usually incorporated finite elements into a circuit simulation or vice versa, but this approach allows optimal modeling using each type of solver. Other methods of magnetic component characterisation using repetitive finite element analysis are also well documented, and while this is useful for simple topologies, the number of simulations required increases exponentially as the number of possible winding combinations also increases. It is envisaged therefore, that this method becomes relatively more applicable for more complex magnetic structures. The paper details the hybrid modeling approach and demonstrates the method using examples.