Bridging the gap between TLM and FDTD

A real-time interface between transmission line modeling (TLM) and finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithms has been developed and validated. A structure can be subdivided in an arbitrary manner into connected TLM and FDTD subdomains that are updated simultaneously. In this way the specific advantages of both methods can be exploited when solving a given problem. The interface procedure has been validated by solving identical structures, first with TLM, then FDTD, and finally with a combination of both. All three methods yield identical numerical results for equal excitation, space, and time resolution.