Transient Linear Circuit Analysis Using Finite Element Technique

Abstract

In this paper, a novel algorithm for a transient linear circuit analysis based on the Finite Element Technique (FET) was established. The FET procedure allows a straightforward solution for complex electric circuits since it is based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) approach. The developed algorithm allows us to select various types of time integration schemes when forming a local system of equations for a coupled circuit finite element. To illustrate the basic principle of the developed FET-based algorithm and to perform transient analysis, a random coupled linear circuit was analyzed. Numerical solutions obtained using Heun’s and the generalized trapezoidal rule (ϑ-method) integration schemes were compared to the solution obtained by Matlab Simulink software. It was shown that the accuracy of results depends on the employed time integration scheme when performing the FET procedure. It was shown that using Heun’s method as the time integration scheme yields more accurate results than using the ϑ-method time integration scheme.

Keywords

• circuit analysis
• finite element technique
• time domain
• time integration schemes