We are developing a framework for multiscale computation which enables models
at a ``microscopic'' level of description, for example Lattice Boltzmann, Monte
Carlo or Molecular Dynamics simulators, to perform modelling tasks at
``macroscopic'' length scales of interest. The plan is to use the microscopic
rules restricted to small "patches" of the domain, the "teeth'', using
interpolation to bridge the "gaps". Here we explore general boundary conditions
coupling the widely separated ``teeth'' of the microscopic simulation that
achieve high order accuracy over the macroscale. We present the simplest case
when the microscopic simulator is the quintessential example of a partial
differential equation. We argue that classic high-order interpolation of the
macroscopic field provides the correct forcing in whatever boundary condition
is required by the microsimulator. Such interpolation leads to Tooth Boundary
Conditions which achieve arbitrarily high-order consistency. The high-order
consistency is demonstrated on a class of linear partial differential equations
in two ways: firstly through the eigenvalues of the scheme for selected
numerical problems; and secondly using the dynamical systems approach of
holistic discretisation on a general class of linear \textsc{pde}s. Analytic
modelling shows that, for a wide class of microscopic systems, the subgrid
fields and the effective macroscopic model are largely independent of the tooth
size and the particular tooth boundary conditions. When applied to patches of
microscopic simulations these tooth boundary conditions promise efficient
macroscale simulation. We expect the same approach will also accurately couple
patch simulations in higher spatial dimensions.Comment: 22 page
