Two-port network theory applied to multi-body scattering

Abstract

We have previously shown how Thevenin’s theorem may be used to help solve problems in linear acoustic scattering from a mobile body, by forming the solution as a superposition of the field scattered from the body when held immobile and the solution for radiation from the body in an otherwise quiescent field. For problems involving acoustic scattering from multiple mobile bodies, the basic approach can be extended by using multi-port network formalism, commonly used in engineering circuit analysis, to decompose the problem into a set of simpler problems. In this presentation we will first review two-port network theory, and then illustrate the approach using the problem of scattering from a pair of mobile, rigid spheres in an ideal plane progressive wave. In addition to solving for the velocities of the spheres, the resultant pressure field will also be determined. Finally, extension to higher-order systems will be discussed.