Device and method for compensating for propagation delay

A device for compensating for propagation delay differences between n serial data streams transmitted via parallel optical lines, wherein the data transmitted via the n serial data streams are formed as m-bit words, the device comprising:

• n regeneration apparatus each having an input connected to one of the parallel optical lines, a data output and a clock output, said input receiving a data stream from the respective optical line, each said regeneration apparatus being configured to regenerate data and a clock from the respective data stream;
• propagation delay control apparatus each having a data input and a clock input respectively connected to said data output and said clock output of said regeneration apparatus, said data input receiving the regenerated data and said clock input receiving the regenerated clock;
• and
• each of said propagation delay control apparatus having a demultiplexer for dividing the regenerated data and the regenerated clocks in a ratio 1:(x·m) and an alignment apparatus for distributing the divided, regenerated data between in each case x·m parallel data outputs of said propagation delay control apparatus, wherein a divided, regenerated clock that is synchronized to the divided, regenerated data is emitted at a clock output of a least one of said propagation delay control apparatus.