A Method for Symmetrizing Generalized Impedance Matrices

Determining the behavior of a body such as an electromagnetic shield in a known impressed field is a fundamental problem of applied electromagnetic theory. For bodies whose shape does not conform to a separable coordinate system, numerical techniques such as the method of moments have been found particularly advantageous. While the application of the method of moments may appear straightforward, its major limitation is the size of the generalized impedance matrix (usually nonsymmetrical) needed to determine accurately the variations of the unknowns. This paper describes a method to symmetrize, and hence reduce, the generalized impedance matrix. Examples for applying this method are provided.