Comparison of the Symmetrical Condensed-TLM Node with hybrid and super condensed nodes for time-domain field computation in complex media

Complex dispersive media not only play some ever increasing role in modern microwave components such as isolator, circulator and phase shifter but they are also involved in computational dosimetry. Recently, a general TLM (Transmission-Line Matrix) procedure based on the Symmetrical Condensed Node (SCN) was proposed to model such media: field components are corrected at every time step by a filtering process at the node center. However, SCN requires operations and storage of 18 voltages in general. Other nodes with reduced number of voltages were proposed and studies have shown that for lossless media, some computer cost reduction was obtained at the price of slightly more dispersion. In this paper, it is proposed to investigate on the performance of the various nodes, in terms of computer expenditure, in presence of dispersive, non-homogenous media.