Numerical solution of transmission line problems by a network model decomposition method based on polygon discretization

A polygon discretization technique for establishing a network model suitable for both TEM (transverse electromagnetic) transmission lines and hollow waveguides is introduced. A network model decomposition algorithm, or diakoptic algorithm, is also presented for solving the transmission-line problems and is shown to be useful when a computer is not sufficiently large to accommodate a problem. The network model decomposition algorithm can be used to calculate the characteristic impedance of an arbitrarily shaped TEM transmission line and the cutoff wavenumbers of a hollow waveguide of arbitrary section. Numerical results are also presented as a demonstration of the method's validity.<>