Lightning electromagnetic pulse simulation using 3D-FDTD method (Comparison between PEC and UPLMBoundary Conditions)

In this paper we present an extensive comparison between the uses of two formulations related to the finite differences time domain method in three dimensions (3D-FDTD) applied to the lightning electromagnetic pulses (LEMP) analysis. Electromagnetic models are implemented for the representation of the lightning return stroke current. Thus, the first formulation is based on the implementation of the Yee algorithm using perfect electric conductor (PEC) boundary conditions. The second formulation consists on the integration of Taflove formulation in the 3D-FDTD method using uniaxial perfectly matched layers (UPML) boundary conditions. For that effect, two computational electromagnetic codes have been developed, in Matlab programming environment, in order to determine the lightning return stroke current distribution and associated electromagnetic field components. Finally, for validation needs, the obtained simulation results, especially the lightning vertical electric field and the magnetic flux density, are compared with measured results taken from specialized literature.