an acoustic surface wave signal transmission device includes a medium having a surface suitable for propagating acoustic energy or waves and having a first impedance characteristic . the surface of the medium includes an array of periodic discontinuities of a second impedance characteristic . the widths of the discontinuities vary in a predetermined manner to reflect a portion of said acoustic energy in proportion to the widths of the discontinuities . a transmitting transducer on said surface converts an input electrical signal into corresponding acoustic energy or waves and launches the energy or waves on said medium toward said array of discontinuities . the acoustic energy is reflected from said array of discontinuities toward a receiving transducer which converts the reflected acoustic energy or waves into a corresponding electrical signal .