| Description |
This paper is divided into two chapters. In the first chapter, "characteristics" are introduced in conjunction with the physical systems they represent. Several of these systems are analysed, and equations describing them are derived. This includes a detailed analysis of sinusoidal voltages on a transmission line. Also, the idea of characteristics as curves along which discontinuities in the second derivatives of the solution function propagate is introduced. The second chapter outlines a numerical method of solving; hyperbolic partial differential equations. The basic method is described, and shortcomings are pointed out. Ways of altering the; method are also suggested. These include construction of imaginary points ta allow approximations at any point in the domain of the; solution function, and a way to find the necessary initial values for calculations, given a point in the domain of the function. Adaption of the method to the simple wave equation is also mentioned. |
