An investigation of nonlinear transmission lines and shock waves

Abstract

Results of a study carried out on a carefully constructed laboratory model of a nonlinear transmission line are reported. These results are compared with those obtained using a computer model, and the two sets of results are shown to be in close agreement. Furthermore, a detailed study of energy balance associated with shock waves indicates that there is no per se energy loss associated with the shock wave formation and in the limit when the line dissipation (R and G parameters) is reduced to zero the system conserves energy. The observed phenomena are fully accounted for by quantitative consideration of the phenomena in the wake of the shock front. It is shown that the 'energy loss', encountered with the classical model, can be accounted for by the energy stored in the AC component of the oscillations formed in the wake of the shock front.