Abstract <p>A multi-rod (multichannel) hollow cathode calculation method based on solving a system of equations written with consideration for the specific features of the real structure of a multi-rod cathode including the emission and thermal conductivity equations, the balances of energy on the cathode surface and the near-cathode area/plasma interface, the Langmuir and McCone equations, and a number of equations describing the gas flow in cathode channels is proposed. The developed method of calculation makes it possible to determine the main parameters of cathode operation and near-cathode area (temperature, midsection utilization factor, number of active wires, erosion, current density, electron current fraction, near-cathode potential drop, concentration of ions, electrical field strength, etc.) for specified geometry and conditions of operation. It follows from the presented results of calculation and their comparison with experimental data that the proposed method of calculation gives satisfactory agreement with experimental results. It provides the possibility to determine the parameters of cathode operation for specified ambient conditions and geometric dimensions and estimate the range of ambient conditions under which the cathode is serviceable.</p>