RF delay lines with variable displacement fluidic dielectric

摘要

A continuously variable true time delay line ( 100 ) and method for producing a time delay. The true delay line ( 100 ) includes an RF transmission line ( 110 ) and at least a first fluidic dielectric ( 130 ) contained in a cavity ( 109 ) coupled to the RF transmission line along at least a first length thereof. One or more variable displacement fluid processors ( 120 ) are provided for changing a distribution of the fluid dielectric ( 130 ) in the cavity ( 109 ) in response to a time delay control signal ( 137 ). The propagation delay of the line is selectively varied by changing the distribution of the fluid dielectric in the cavity.