Application of Slow-Wave Systems for Delay

Sometimes delay of electrical signals is necessary at transmission and processing of signals. Miniaturized delay devices with wide-pass band, high linearity, and stability are necessary for signal synchronizations, analog, digital filtering, and other applications in modern electronic equipment. The signal path of a modern meander delay line consists of a microstrip meander line and input and output ports. Coupling of straight parts of meander conductors causes dispersion of velocities of electromagnetic waves propagating in meander systems. Usually, the velocity of the wave in a meander system decreases with frequency. With two conductors in the period of the multiconductor line, two quasi-transverse electromagnetic electromagnetic waves can propagate, and capacitances of conductors depend on the type of normal wave. The characteristic impedance frequency characteristic is a very important characteristic of a slow-wave structure. In order to reduce dispersion in meander slow-wave structures, additional shields are used between conductors of the meander electrodes.