Optimizing the COMSOL computation for Ultrasonic through-metal communication (UTMC) simulation

Due to the Faraday cage effect radio waves cannot pass through metals. Therefore, it is not possible to communicate from one side of the metal barrier to the other using conventional wireless communication methods. This is critical in certain applications (e.g., nuclear, aerospace), where the sensor is placed across the metal barrier from where the user would access its data. Usual ways to circumvent this issue involve drilling holes and passing cables through the metal barrier. However, this often disrupts the structural integrity of the metal body, adds the difficulty in re-sealing these holes and increases the cost. An alternative option is to use ultrasound. Ultrasonic through-metal communication (UTMC) interest has increased greatly in the past two decades [1-5], and it allows communication of sensory data from an inaccessible location to the outer world.
COMSOL is a finite element analysis software that can allow us to simulate several changes in parameters before testing them in the real world. Simulations at high frequencies using COMSOL can be very computational expensive. The study focuses on reducing computational cost while preserving model fidelity.

REFERENCES
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