Recirculating delay line time compressor having plural input taps

Apparatus for storing an input signal of time duration T.sub.1 and for retrieving such stored input signal in a different, shorter time duration T.sub.2, comprising:

• a. means for serially obtaining a predetermined number, N, of samples of the input signal at a rate R.sub.1 ;
• b. a recirculating delay line having a plurality of serially coupled storage stages;
• c. means for shifting a sample stored in one of such stages to the next succeeding stage at a rate R.sub.2, where R.sub.2 is greater than R.sub.1 ;
• d. means, operative as such shifting means shifts samples from stage to succeeding stage at the rate R.sub.2, for storing a first one of such obtained samples in the n th one of such stages and for storing the next succeeding one of such obtained samples in the (n-1) + R.sub.2 /R.sub.1 th succeeding storage stage as the first one of such obtained samples shifts from such n th one of such storage stages to the n+R.sub.2 /R.sub.1 th stage;
• and
• e. means, coupled to one of such stages, for retrieving the N samples as such samples are shifted thereto at the rate R.sub.2, such N samples being retrieved in the time duration T.sub.2.