Strategies for HIRF simulations using FDTD

Preparing the 3D-geometry models needed to perform computational electromagnetics simulations can be very tedious and time consuming. Furthermore, the need to include the test setup in the models in order to validate the software by comparing the numerical results with the measured data often makes the models extremely big and, therefore, the computational cost of the simulation becomes unaffordable. A test case from the European FP7 HIRF-SE project intended to provide the aeronautics industry with an integrated electromagnetic compatibility simulation tool set has been used in the present study in order to identify the unnecessary elements for the simulation while retaining the essential physics of the problem. Strategies for optimizing the modeling process and guidelines for achieving the worst possible level so as to use the simulation in a certification process can be drawn from this study.