Chirped delay lines in microstrip technology

In this paper, we report on a design method for chirped delay lines (CDLs) in microstrip technology. They consist in a continuously varying strip width, so that the coupling location between the quasi-TEM microstrip mode and the same but counter-propagating mode is linearly distributed in frequency. High delay/spl times/bandwidth products, over frequency ranges of several gigahertzs, can be obtained following this procedure. Experimental data confirm the design method. Real-time Fourier analysis of wideband pulses can be performed using these CDLs.