Abstract: A variable delay line has a first optical fiber to transmit an optical signal and a plurality of second optical fibers adapted to receive simultaneously the optical signal from the first fiber. Each second fiber has a predetermined length, the length of each second fiber being different from each other second fiber. The predetermined length determines the propagation delay of the optical signal along each second fiber. An opto-electronic switch is made responsive to the optical energy on a selected one of the second fibers. The switch detects the delayed optical energy and couples the delayed optical energy on an electrical analog thereof to a device. The selected second fiber is chosen for the propagation delay associated therewith.