Finite-element method applied to EMC problems (PCB environment)

In a printed circuit board environment, the solution domain is highly inhomogeneous, and analytic expressions for design parameters are very difficult to obtain, even for the simplest configuration. The finite element method (FEM) offers an attractive alternative for solving the problem in all its aspects including the determination of parasitic effects. A problem of practical interest, related to crosstalk, is formulated to be solved using the FEM. The technique is first applied to obtain the field distribution, and then the field is used to calculate transmission line parameters of conducting tracks on printed circuit boards. FEM is used to solve a radiation problem in three dimensions. The solution is used to predict far-field radiation levels of electronic equipment from near-field measurements.