Overview

This project was the core of my Master’s Thesis in Electrical Engineering. The goal was to detect and visualize underground tunnels using electromagnetic (EM) wave scattering. I developed a complete software package to simulate these physical phenomena and visualize the results in real-time. The research involved complex wave-matter interaction analysis and computational physics.

Technical Implementation

Unlike using ready-made engines, this tool was built from the ground up to handle specific scientific calculations:

• Core Logic & Simulation: Written in C++, implementing the Method of Auxiliary Sources (MAS) for complex EM field simulations. The engine handles matrix-based calculations and Hankel function approximations for precise field modeling.

• Graphics & Rendering: Developed a custom OpenGL renderer for volumetric 3D visualization. Implemented custom shader logic to represent field intensity through color mapping and transparency (alpha blending) in a 3D space.

• UI & Interactivity: Built using Qt, allowing for real-time parameter adjustments (tunnel size, depth, frequency) with instant visual feedback.

Key Research Results

• Identified specific resonance peaks that serve as a “fingerprint” for underground structures.

• Successfully visualized the difference between longitudinal and transverse polarization in complex environments.

Why this matters for Game Dev

Building this tool established my deep understanding of the graphics pipeline, memory management in C++, and the mathematics behind physical simulations. These foundational skills now allow me to create highly optimized and complex procedural systems in Houdini and Unreal Engine. It taught me how to bridge the gap between abstract mathematical data and high-performance visual representation.