Generalized Theory of Impedance Loaded Multiconductor Transmission Lines in an Incident Field

A general theory is advanced for determining the currents in the load impedances of an N-conductor isolated transmission line excited by an electromagnetic field with the electric vector directed parallel to the wires. The number of impedance loads in the circuit is 2N. An impedance is connected in series with each conductor at its ends. At each end of the transmission line the impedances emanate from a common node. There is no requirement that the conductors be of the same radius, be equally spaced, or lie in a common plane; however, their axes must be parallel. Evidently the cross section of the line must be sufficiently small in terms of the wavelength that transmission line theory applies. Numerical values for the load currents In a three-conductor model are given. Scattering from end loaded multiconductor transmission lines is considered. It is shown that for configurations lacking geometrical symmetry such problems become arduous if not solved by computer.