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Top 5 Delay Lines & How they Work

Using a delay line can make a difference in a device’s signal processing. If you are working on an audio device, it works best and you want to know why. In this article, we let you into the world of delay lines; helping you understand how these signals can be delayed and the impact.

What are Delay Lines?

To put it simply, delay lines are the semiconductors or Integrated Circuits (ICs) added to an electronic device, with the sole intent of using them to regulate signal transmission.

Depending on the voltage and other configuration options, it may take a lot of time for a signal to get to the end-point because the delay lines kept it waiting.

Wondering why a signal should be delayed in the first place? There are a couple of reasons that support that, with one them being that the delay helps in harmonizing the analog signals. By delaying these signals, the delay lines ensure that the analog signals are delayed with respect to time. That way, the time in the electronic circuit is adjusted to fit into the signal being transmitted.

The Relevance of Delay Lines to Electronic Circuits

Delay Lines

Today, we have more electronic circuits and devices using any of the delay lines. At the onset, these lines were used with the likes of acoustic propagation delay and the optical coherence tomography.

Now, we can use any of the delay lines for the following applications:

  • Control systems
  • Communication systems
  • Data acquisition systems
  • Audio systems

Interestingly, delay lines have since moved from the conventional use of looping on a magnetic tape to the analog and digital delay line variants we have today.

The Best Delay Lines to Buy Today

If you are looking to buy a delay line, you want to be sure that it ticks the following boxes:

  • The (signal) delay is impressive.
  • It is specific, i.e., it can either be a digital delay line or an analog delay line. There is also an option for the tape delay lines.

Having that in mind, we are now going to introduce you to five (5) major delay lines you may want to buy today.

1. DS1100Z-100+T&R

DS1100Z-100+T&R is a 5-tap delay line. Manufactured by Maxim Integrated, the delay line works by using five separate taps to provide signal delay between 4 nanoseconds and 500 nanoseconds.

The 5-tap economy timing element by Maxim Integrated is designed to provide higher nanoseconds (ns) or delay timing for these delay lines. That allows for excellent timing and synchronization of data.

Here are a couple of reasons why the DS1100Z-100+T&R may be beneficial to you:

Delay-Specific

Just like we have different delay lines matching different devices and specifications, the DS1100Z-100+T&R also toes the same line.

As a delay-specific line, it helps to optimize the signal delay to both the industrial and commercial temperature ranges.

Signal Spacing

The 5-tap economy timing element allows for the equal spacing of the taps, to ensure a signal delay up to 500 nanoseconds (ns).

Increased Loads

The loads on the target circuit board can also be driven or powered the more when the taps are implemented. At an estimate, each of the taps should be able to drive up the circuit’s load up to 10 74LS loads.

Combo of Reliable Design and Affordability

Low-cost and flexible design seem to be two words that cannot exist on the same line, but they do on the DS1100Z-100+T&R delay lines.

The signals are not only delayed, but also achieve superior reliability over hybrid technology via the industry-standard µMAX and the SO packaging.

To help save costs, the DS1100Z-100+T&R delay line uses the 100% silicon delay line packaging.

Real-Time Prototyping

Making a prototype or first design of the DS1100Z-100+T&R is assured, due to its fast-turn prototype design. You can contact RayPCB to help you do that today and at affordable design costs.

Compact Circuit Board Real Estate

By its design, the DS1100Z-100+T&R is best used with applications or circuit boards that have a compact or lesser footprint.

That is why it is one of the best delay lines for surface-mount devices with a little real estate. That way, you get to find space to attach the delay lines while having extra space for the other components.

Precise and Stable Signal Delays

Delaying the signals is both precise and stable. In that case, the DS1100Z-100+T&R helps to reproduce both the trailing and leading edges using the same precision.

On the other hand, the delay lines also help to reproduce the input-logic state at the output. This happens after the fixed delay is applied, following the specifications by the extension of the part number (preferably after the dash).

Custom Delay Line Creation

DS1100Z-100+T&R also allows for the creation of customized delay lines, and which would be optimized to match the specific signal delay timing requirements.

CMOS Compatibility

DS1100Z-100+T&R is compatible with the CMOS technology, thus, expanding the capabilities of the delay lines’ configurations.

It is also compatible with the TTL technology and uses low-power CMOS.

2. DS1100LZ-50+T

Full pcb manufacturing

The DS1100LZ-50+T delay lines are a variant of the DS1100Z-100+T&R with only a few features differentiating the two.

While it uses or is optimized for the DS1100L series, the DS1100Z-100+T&R is optimized for the DS1100 series. To that end, the provides an equal precision of the trailing edges and leading edges production, while enabling customized solutions.

The major difference between the DS1100LZ-50+T and the DS1100Z-100+T&R delay lines is that the former uses 3.3-volts while the latter uses a 5-volt operating frequency.

Other than that, the DS1100LZ-50+T is pretty much like its predecessor. However, if you are looking to get flexible soldering options, it offers it too. The soldering options are the vapor-phase and IR solderable options.

Note that the performance of the DS1100LZ-50+T may not be as high as that of the DS1100LZ-50+T, especially when you compare their voltages. Therefore, DS1100LZ-50+T’s limited voltage of 3.3-volts may not be sufficient to carry higher devices. To that end, you want to stick to using it with operations between the range of 3.0-volt and 3.6-volt.

3. MAX3620DETT

Maxim Integrated is also the manufacturer of the MAX3620DETT delay lines. It is a type of delay lines configured for high-speed clock distribution systems. If you are looking for a way to balance the performance of your target application or device’s clock, we are sure the MAX3620DETT serves that purpose.

We have also seen some of the integral properties that can make all the difference for signal regulation. Here are some of the core features of the delay lines:

Absolute Power Ratings

The voltage or power ratings for the MAX3620DETT are absolute and configurable, as per the requirements. For example, the delay lines maintain a maximum DC voltage of +2 volts for the common and the Input and Outputs (IOs). These inputs range from IN1 and IN2 to the OUT1 and OUT2.

The storage operating temperature should be between -55-degree Celsius and +150-degree Celsius. On the other hand, MAX3620DETT’s normal operating temperature range is between -45-degree Celsius and +85-degree Celsius.

However, the above are the recommended maximum ratings. Therefore, going above them may result in permanent damage to the target device.

You also want to have in mind that the absolute maximum ratings, despite being estimates may also impact the reliability of the target device. In a situation that the maximum rating is exceeded, there is every likelihood that the device’s reliability will be threatened after its exposure to these ratings over an extended period.

Accurate Delays

One of the loopholes to working with a delay line is the likelihood that the delays may not be accurate. The MAX3620DETT proves that not to be true, because the accuracy of the delay lines is assured via the support for the High-Speed Transceiver Logic (HSTL).

The HSTL, in turn, aids in the sourcing of terminated transmission with an unterminated load of 0.7ns up to 1.50 nanoseconds (ns) at the receiver.

The accuracy of the delay lines up to the 1.50ns rating helps in generating the quarter clock phase.

Compact Package

To save space, the MAX3620DETT comes in a small form-factor package measuring 3mm by 3mm. Despite the compact design, it also boosts the device’s capabilities via the support for single-ended-driven and differential-driven two delay lines with an equal length.

4. SY100E195JC

SY100E195JC is a Programmable Delay Chip (PDC) from the stables of Micrel Inc. Featuring up to 2 nanoseconds (ns) delay range and an extended range of 5.5-volt, the chip helps to adjust the timing of the circuit board, and aids in de-skewing the clock too.

This is one of the delay lines to have a flexible operating capacity, as bolstered via its differential ECL gate arrays. These gate arrays aid in the delay lines’ maintenance of a 600mV output swing and an over 1GHz operating frequency.

In addition to that, it also has an on-chip cascade circuitry, which is a medium for combining the operations across different facets. For example, the D7, which doubles as the eight latched input in the SY100E195JC delay lines, provides the cascade circuitry.

The circuitry works by cascading several Programmable Delay Chips (PDCs) as a way of increasing their programmable ranges.

The innovative aspect of the cascading circuitry is that it doesn’t need an external gating. All you have to do is to add a single line of cascade logic to the data bus of each PDC to enable the control of each of the PDCs on the board.

5. NB6L295MMNG

Onsemi manufactures the NB6L295MMNG delay lines with the associating part number as NB6L295MMNG.

It is designed to be a multi-level input delay line with an internal termination. It features up to 3.3-volt dual channel programmable clock with differential CML outputs.

As a dual channel Programmable Delay Chip (PDC), NB6L295MMNG helps to adjust timing, and de-skew both the clock and the data.

Features of the NB6L295MMNG PDC

The properties of this Programmable Delay Chip (PDC) include:

  • Up to 100ps typical rise and fall times.
  • An Extended Delay Mode with a programmable delay range up to 11.2 nanoseconds (ns).
  • Up to 2.5 Gigabytes per second (GB/s) data range.
  • Up to 11ps Monotonic Delay with Increments in 511 Steps.
  • Up to 16.6 nanoseconds (ns) of total delay range when in Extended Delay Mode.
  • NB6L295MMNG can also achieve up to 8.5 nanoseconds (ns) of total delay range when in the Delay Channel.

NB6L295MMNG also has a multi-level inputs architecture, which can be driven by any of the following:

  • LVTTL
  • LVPECL
  • LVCMOS
  • CML
  • LVDS

The above is powered by the differential logic levels. The NB6L295MMNG can also be powered by the above when using the single-ended logic levels. The only difference here is that the LVDS logic level is not included.

NB6L295MMNG has Versatile Configuration

The configuration or optimization methods for the NB6L295MMNG are versatile, because of the dual, variable delay channels – the PD0 and the PD1. The delay lines also use two (2) major configurable modes, which are the Extended Delay Mode and the Dual Delay Mode.

6. HMC856LC5

This is the last but not the least of the top delay lines you can find out there. Analog Devices manufacture the HMC856LC5 and made it to be a digital time delay IC with Programmable Output Voltage.

It works by using a (dual) differential and single-ended operation methods to implement a wideband time delay. The wideband time delay combines with the 5-bit digital control interface, which helps in managing the clock skew applications, as well as for timing compensation capabilities.

Features of the HMC856LC5 Delay Line

The primary feature of this delay line is the VR, an output level pin that either allows for the signal level optimization or the (power) loss compensation.

The time delay provided via the wideband time delay helps to provide up to 100 ps maximum delay range with about 3 ps of resolution to help support the 25 Gigabytes per second (Gbps) data speed.

Conclusion

Using a delay line like the ones discussed in this article helps improve the signal transmission in both consumer electronics and industrial devices.

You want to the type of delay lines and the potential drawbacks before deciding on the one to buy.

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