ABOUT EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF TOPOLOGICAL DELAY LINES

In order to synchronize signals at receiving points in high‑speed digital electronics, the configurations of the corresponding tracks on the PCB must ensure the same signal delays. Their synchronization is ensured by the creation of topological delay lines, which are realized by inscribing a meander in a certain area, as a rule, a rectangle. The article analyzes the influence of the parameters of the delay line and the shape of the inscribed conductor on the efficiency of use of the installation space. It is noted that computer‑aided design systems offer two basic options for inscribing a meander in a rectangular area: «accordion» and «trombone». The impossibility of reducing and the inexpediency of increasing the width of the region of the delay line in the «trombone» variant makes its use in narrow or short «corridors» ineffective. Therefore, the «accordion» version is considered more versatile and flexible. It also concludes that it is preferable to use long narrow areas of delay lines and the advisability to avoid very short and too narrow areas when automatically creating topological delay lines.