Propagation Delay Calculator
Calculate signal propagation delay through various transmission media
Calculate Propagation Delay
Distance between signal source and destination
Free space propagation
Propagation Delay Results
Calculation Details
Formula: Delay = Distance / Propagation Speed
Distance: 0.000 meters
Medium: Air/Vacuum
Velocity Factor: 1
Propagation Speed: 299.792 × 10⁶ m/s
Speed of Light: 299.792 × 10⁶ m/s
Performance Analysis
Example Calculations
Ethernet Cable (3m)
Medium: Polyethylene (VF = 0.65)
Distance: 3 meters
Speed: 1.949 × 10⁸ m/s
Delay: ~15.4 ns
Wireless (NY to London)
Medium: Air (VF = 1.0)
Distance: 5,567 km
Speed: 2.998 × 10⁸ m/s
Delay: ~18.6 ms
Satellite Link
Medium: Air (VF = 1.0)
Distance: 72,000 km (GEO)
Speed: 2.998 × 10⁸ m/s
Delay: ~240 ms
Common Velocity Factors
Key Concepts
Lower velocity factor = slower signal propagation
Round-trip time affects ping and response times
Cable materials significantly impact delay
Distance is the primary factor in delay
Understanding Propagation Delay
What is Propagation Delay?
Propagation delay is the time it takes for a signal to travel from its source to its destination. It's a fundamental limitation in any communication system and depends on the distance traveled and the speed at which the signal propagates through the medium.
Why Does It Matter?
- •Affects network latency and response times
- •Critical for real-time applications
- •Influences timing in digital circuits
- •Important for financial trading systems
Formula and Calculation
Delay = Distance / Propagation Speed
Propagation Speed = c × VF
- c: Speed of light (2.998 × 10⁸ m/s)
- VF: Velocity factor of the medium (0-1)
- Distance: Physical path length
Note: Velocity factor represents how much the medium slows down electromagnetic waves compared to free space.
Applications
Network Engineering
Calculate latency in network links, optimize routing, and understand performance limitations.
Digital Circuit Design
Timing analysis, signal integrity, and synchronization in high-speed digital systems.
Telecommunications
Satellite communication, fiber optic systems, and wireless network planning.