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This section provides an overview for programmable delay lines as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 programmable delay line manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked programmable delay line companies as of July, 2025: 1.Analog Devices, Inc., 2.Data Delay Device, Inc., 3.Renesas Electronics Corporation..
Table of Contents
A programmable delay line is a type of electronic circuit called a delay line that delays the propagation time of an electrical signal.
The delay time can be changed by programming. In addition, there are passive delay lines consisting only of passive elements and active delay lines that can be driven by external ICs.
By delaying a signal for an arbitrary amount of time, it is possible to match the timing with other signals or to intentionally add a time difference. They are used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including communications equipment.
Programmable delay lines are used to match the timing of data and clock signals. It is especially important to be able to adjust the timing precisely, since the higher the speed, the more likely it is that slight timing deviations will cause problems.
Other applications include signal pulse width conversion, oscillator circuits, frequency multipliers and frequency discriminators. Applications include medical, broadcasting, military, and space. Programmable delay lines are used in various detection and communication devices where precise timing is required.
A programmable delay line is a simple principle that uses inductance L and capacitance C to delay the propagation of electrical signals. It is considered difficult to create a delay line that delivers a specified delay time with high accuracy even when conditions such as process, temperature, and voltage change.
One way to improve accuracy is through feedback. The error against the specified delay time is determined and fed back to the delay line to reduce the error. The delay time is controlled by adjusting the supply voltage, for example. Higher voltage can shorten the delay time.
One way to determine the delay error is to convert the voltage to a frequency. Inverting the output of the delay line and feeding it back to the input produces a frequency output of 1/2 the delay time. This mechanism is called a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO).
A programmable delay line consists of a delay line that delays a signal and a multiplexer that selects a desired delay time. There are several ways to construct a delay line, and currently the most used is a ladder-type transmission network with inductance L and capacitance C.
The delay time for an N-stage ladder-type circuit is √(L x C) per section, or N x √(L x C) in total. Another configuration is to use a voltage-controlled delay line (VCDL) in which the propagation delay time of the logic gates is controlled by the supply voltage.
The desired delay time can be obtained by selecting an arbitrary stage of the ladder-type circuit with an address signal at the multiplexer. When using programmable delay lines, it is important to consider characteristics such as accurate delay time, good frequency and phase characteristics, low loss, and good temperature characteristics to meet the performance and bit count required for the application.
Delay lines are transmission lines like coaxial cables and have inherent transmission impedance. The characteristic impedance is a parameter that depends on the inductance and capacitance in the circuit. It is important that the characteristic impedance be uniform within the delay line in order to transmit with minimal waveform distortion.
The rise time inherent in a delay line limits the minimum transmission pulse width. Narrower pulse widths have higher frequency components and therefore require faster rise times.
The pulse width that can pass through the delay line without difficulty must be at least three times the rise time inherent in the delay line.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Incorporated in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems that leverage analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. The company provides data converter products, power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and high-end consumer markets. In addition, the company provides digital signal processing and system products for high-speed numeric calculations. It serves clients in the industrial, automotive, consumer, instrumentation, aerospace, and communications markets.
Data Delay Devices, a company founded in 1964 and headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey, United States, is a manufacturer of electronic components specializing in programmable digital delay lines. They design and produce a wide range of delay line products that are used in various industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, medical, and defense. These programmable devices provide precise timing control and signal synchronization, enabling efficient data transmission and system operation. Their products are known for their accuracy, and flexibility, meeting the demanding requirements of modern electronic applications. The company also offers technical assistance and consultation to address customer inquiries and requirements.
Renesas Electronics Corporation was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Renesas is a global research, design, and manufacturer of semiconductors used in industries spanning automotive, consumer electronics, the internet of things, power & energy, and industrial sectors. Renesas manufactures both analog and digital products. Analog products include amplifiers, audio & video devices, data converters, PLC, and switches & multiplexers. Digital products include microcontrollers, memory components, sensors, wireless connectivity products, and others. Renesas also offers design resources such as kits, development tools, partner programs, and design tools.
Electronic Surplus, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Mentor, Ohio, United States, is a retail supplier of electronic components and parts. The company offers over 60,000 products, including capacitors, circuit breakers, and PC Card Edge Connectors. Its products are used by electronics professionals and hobbyists. It also purchases large quantities of surplus electronics components, including obsolete parts, discontinued products, and military parts. It also sources electronic components it doesn't currently have available. Its products are available for purchase in limited and large quantities via its online store.
Ranking as of July 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Analog Devices, Inc. |
25.5%
|
| 2 | Data Delay Device, Inc. |
17.9%
|
| 3 | Renesas Electronics Corporation. |
17.9%
|
| 4 | MTS Systemtechnik GmbH |
13.6%
|
| 5 | Eastern Optx, Inc. |
10.3%
|
| 6 | Electronic Surplus |
8.7%
|
| 7 | Colby Instruments |
6.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the programmable delay line page as of July 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
3 | 75.0% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 25.0% |
5 products found
5 products
Cons Technology Co., Ltd.
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Module for adjusting delay time of timing signals, etc. ■Features The input NIM standard logic signal is delayed by 105ns and output. Use delay li...
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A module that outputs a pulse with a specified width delayed by a specified time from the start signal. ■Features ・The delay of the start signal ...
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■“High-speed, high-performance delay line” manufactured by Colby instruments ・Towards the world of femtoseconds. Time resolution 0.5ps ・Colby ins...
