Design of time delay lines with periodic microstrip line and composite right/left-handed transmission line

Abstract

Time delay lines based on periodic microstrip lines (PMLs) and composite right/left-handed transmission lines (CRLH-TLs) are proposed. Compared with ordinary microstrip lines, PMLs are more suitable to realize tiny time delays because of their slow-wave characteristics. Meanwhile, CRLH-TLs are chosen to realize large time delays due to their large and easy designable phase constant. Finally, a 9-bit time delay module is designed and fabricated as an example. It is shown that the present time delay module possesses the advantages of compactness, low-loss, precise, and easy fabrication. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.