Delay lines based on left-handed transmission line structure

Delay lines based on left-handed transmission line (LH-TL) structure are designed. The simulation results demonstrate that the LH-TL time delay lines possess higher delay efficiency than traditional right-handed transmission line (RH-TL) ones. The present delay line is more suitable for practical applications since it can be fabricated easily on printed circuit board (PCB) and compactable with other elements without any conversion devices. Besides, the present delay line has advantages of broad bandwidth and low insertion loss. Controllable phase constant /spl beta/ of LH-TL structure is utilized to give diversity of delay lines and more time delay can be obtained provided a bigger /spl beta/ is designed. Furthermore, LH-TL delay lines also provide an alternative choice to realize high temperature superconducting (HTS) delay lines.