Book End
Communications Standard Dictionary
Martin H. Weik
Chapman & Hall
1192 pages; $81.95
So many changes have occurred recently in the communications area that it is difficult to keep up with the terminology, much less the technology. Much time is spent defining terms and deciphering acronyms that were not part of our vocabulary a few short years ago. This third edition of the Communications Standard Dictionary has been updated and improved to reflect the latest trends in communications, computer, data processing and control systems hardware, software and firmware terminology. The dictionary covers all aspects of communications applications, such as computer networking, data exchange, database management, telemetering, multicasting, broadcasting and point-to-point communications.
All communications media are covered, such as telephone, telegraph, radio, television, facsimile, wirephoto, radar, spread spectrum, navigation, military, and related systems and components. In addition, propagation media are covered, such as open wire, metallic cable, fiber-optic cable, satellite, microwave relay, coaxial cable and visual systems. The complete communications system life cycle, including design, development, testing, fabrication, installation, operation, application, maintenance and salvage, is covered, as are codes, protocols, procedures and computer programs.
The terms in this dictionary are used by designers, developers, manufacturers, vendors, users, managers, administrators, operators and maintainers of communications, computer, data processing and control systems and components, as well as educators and students. The definitions are based on international, national, federal, military, industrial and technical society standards.
The large appendix section includes a comprehensive list of abbreviations and acronyms. Tables define frequency ranges and designators; the metric system of units; radiometric terms; T-carrier hierarchy and characteristics; and near, intermediate and far electromagnetic fields.
This latest update to the dictionary keeps it current with the fast-paced changes occurring in today’s communications environment. In addition, the depth of the definitions makes this volume more of an encyclopedia than a mere dictionary, as well as a valuable addition to anyone’s technical library.
To order this book, contact: Chapman & Hall, 115 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10003 (800) 842-3636.
Spread Spectrum CDMA Systems for Wireless Communications
Savo Glisic and Branka Vucetic
Artech House Inc.
383 pages; $89, £69
Code-division multiple access (CDMA) has become extremely attractive for applications in mobile communications and wireless networks because of its high capacity and flexibility for multirate systems. This book is intended to provide insight into the complex field of spread spectrum techniques, with an emphasis on CDMA.
The first three chapters review pseudonoise sequences, code acquisition and code tracking, including frequency hopping systems. Chapter 4 presents various receiver structures based on using pseudorandom noise-matched filters that form the basis for spread spectrum technology. Filter techniques utilizing digital signal processing technology, charge coupled devices or surface acoustic wave components are described. Chapter 5 describes CDMA systems and their use of spread spectrum transmission. The ability to use this technique to increase voice communications capacity over large areas and power control schemes for optimizing capacity are described. Chapter 6 discusses multiuser CDMA receivers. Multi-access interference (MAI) is described along with techniques to minimize MAI using various demodulator configurations and adaptive cancellation. Chapter 7 goes on to describe adaptive interference and CDMA overlay systems, that is, how spread spectrum systems can share common spectrum with currently operating cellular and fixed microwave systems. The final chapter examines various multi-access techniques, protocols and throughput performance aspects in spread spectrum packet radio networks. The key features of spread spectrum signaling that enable multiple-access capability, capture and multipath resistance are considered. Both direct-sequence/CDMA and frequency hopping multiple access techniques are presented in a random access mode of operation.
This book presents practical design guidelines and system concepts that are helpful to system and network designers, making it a valuable reference text on modern multi-user communications techniques. Component engineers will benefit as well by gaining a better understanding of the system concepts and makeup.
To order this book, contact: Artech House Inc., 685 Canton St., Norwood, MA 02062 (617) 769-9750, ext. 4002; or Portland House, Stag Place, London SW1E 5XA, UK +44 (0)171 973 8077.