Averaging operators for exponential splittings

Averaging operations are considered in connection with exponential splitting methods. Toeplitz plus Hankel related matrices are resplit by applying appropriate averaging operators leading to a hierarchy of structured matrices. With the resulting parts, the option of using exponential splitting methods becomes available. A related, seemingly important group of unitary unipotents is looked at. Based on a formula due to Lenard, a very fast iterative method to find the nearest Toeplitz plus Hankel matrix in the Frobenius norm is devised.