electromagnetic delay line
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of delay line that operates based on the finite propagation time of electromagnetic waves: It is a component or system designed to introduce a controlled time delay into an electrical signal by exploiting the time it takes for an electromagnetic wave to travel through a physical medium or a specific circuit path.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The radar system uses an electromagnetic delay line to accurately time the return signal.
- In early computer memory, an electromagnetic delay line could store data bits as a circulating wave.
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: The term is primarily used in specialized fields like electrical engineering, telecommunications, and radar technology. It describes a physical implementation (e.g., using a coil of cable or a waveguide) where the signal delay is a direct function of the length of the transmission path and the velocity of propagation of the electromagnetic wave in that medium.
Variants and Related Words
- Delay line (n): The general category of devices for introducing time delays into signals. An electromagnetic delay line is a specific type.
- Acoustic delay line (n): A different type of delay line that uses the propagation of sound waves, often used in contrast to electromagnetic types.
Synonyms
- Signal delay unit: A more general descriptive term.
- Transmission line delay: A phrase describing the delay effect inherent in any transmission line, which is the principle behind an electromagnetic delay line.
Related Phrases
- To introduce a delay: The functional purpose of the device.
- The circuit was designed to introduce a precise 10-nanosecond delay.
Related Idioms
Noun
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a delay line based on the time of propagation of electromagnetic waves
