5 comments about Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems (The Oxford Series in Electrical and Computer Engineering).

1. EXCELLENT:
   =========
   This is an amazing book with many sections that are gems! Shannon's theorem is explained so beautifully in such detail that I have never seen anything like it. The chapters on Optimum signal detection and error correction codes are so beautifully written and easy to follow that I want to congratulate the author. The section on how to calculate the power spectral density of different line codes like bipolar, split phase, and polar was the easiest to read yet very detailed.
   
   BAD:
   ========
   However the book is scattered. The same material sometimes is covered in multiple chapters in bits and pieces. Partially this is because the author wants to first introduce some of the concepts without discussing probability and later covers them again after studying probability. But, this still can't explain why things are so scattered. The new chapters added in the third edition covering some of the new applications are not written well. The contribution by a guest author to one of the chapters was horrible!
   
   What will make this book excellent is to get rid of the guest author and some of the new material, clean up the presentation of the fundamentals and present in a more unified matter.
   
   This book is a good relief from reading Proakis. I have read many advanced books which were easy to read. The reason Proakis was hard to read wasn't because the subject was advanced but simply it wasn't written well.
   
   p.s. My second edition was read so often that the glued pages started falling out. I bought the third edition and once again the glued pages fell out! I don't know if it is because this is one of the books I most frequently use or just the binding should be improved.



2. The nice thing about this textbook is that it provides the needed background in probability and random processes. The first nine chapters discuss in detail how digital and analog communication systems work. Chapter 1 is an introduction to communications systems, and signal analysis is covered in chapters 2 and 3. Here the student is encouraged to see a signal as a vector and to think of the Fourier spectrum as a way of representing a signal in terms of its vector components. Chapters 4 and 5 discuss amplitude and then angular modulation. In the digital age many might feel that modulation should be deemphasized. However, modulation is a basic tool of signal processing and its understanding is therefore still necessary. Chapter 6 deals with sampling, pulse code modulation, and delta modulation. Chapter 7 discusses the transmission of digital data while chapters 8 and 9 discuss emerging digital technologies in communications as they were considered cutting edge in 1998. Chapters 10 and 11 are the promised chapters on probability and random processes, sufficient to the point of understanding what is covered in this book. Chapters 12 and 13 discuss the behavior of communication systems in the presence of noise. Optimum signal detection is the subject of chapter 14, and information theory is introduced in chapter 15. Error control coding is the subject of the final chapter of the book.
   
   The best features of this book are its visual style with plenty of diagrams and also its numerous worked out numerical examples. The mathematics is as complex as necessary to explain concepts, but the author doesn't lose sight of the forest for the trees in this aspect of the book. Exercises include not only traditional numerical type problems but computer exercises as well. Although there are entire books written on what this book covers in chapters, particularly in the last half of the book when the author is surveying topics rather than laying foundations, this is a good first book to read even on these advanced topics as far as getting the big picture and seeing how these topics tie into the design of communication systems. Highly recommended.



3. My only concern about this book is that I have discovered it too late, after graduating in electronic engineering! Really, many explanations that Prof. Lathi gives about Shannon, Nyquist, and the exchange of bandwidth for SNR, both intuitive and rigorous, would have helped me very much at that time.
   
   I really recommend this book for several reasons:
   1) Clarity
   2) examples
   3) Historical background for the development of analog and digital communications.
   
   I hope Lathi will write many other books like this one: I've never found any explanation better than his. He makes you love the subject.



4. I read this book for 2 of my semesters in my undergrad. In the beginning I didn't like the book much but today all that what I got from this book is helping me back in my Grad studies. One of the finest. Much better than many around.



5. This is a great book for building the foundations of communication theory. Serves great as an introductory text on analog and digital communications. Concepts are explained very well.

5 comments about Introduction to Fourier Optics.

1. This is the best book on Fourier Optics that I'm aware of. There is sufficient detail that you can follow the math, but also has well written text explaining concepts. The problems are sometimes trivial and sometime challenging, but they are very much an integral part of the book and doing them is necessary to get a full understanding of the material. There is a 3rd edition of the book with an additonal chapter, which is available at a much lower price, but Amazon does not seem to be carrying it yet. Hopefully they will soon. (...)



2. For the last month, I have been using this book for self study to aid me in my work with lasers. Originally, I was working from the 1st edition (borrowed from a co-worker), but decided to buy my own copy. I wound up buying the 3rd edition, a significantly expanded version of the original.
   
   Goodman's writing style is conversational and his treatment of the subject is thorough. I appreciate his inclusion of enough optics/E&M background within the text that I am not constantly having to go to my bookshelf to consult other references. Note, the 3rd edition has several helpful appendices not found in the 1st edition.
   
   There are also many instructive problems given throughout the text to help students solidify their understanding of the material.
   
   This is an excellent book for self study, and would certainly make a fine text for a senior undergrad course on the subject. I recommend it highly.
   
   Charlie.



3. Overall I like the book for it is clear, the mathematics is lucid and has all the essentials in a comprehensive way. I have found it quite useful for research. In addition, for the most parts it is quite accurate.
   
   Some criticisms though:
   Contains everything from a more mathematical point of view. By that i mean, problems are usually not very physically motivated and some of the conclusions drawn are not very physical. that is you are given at the end of a discussion only an integral. It would have been nice if there were more discussions on the physics of Fourier Optics, for example pictures of actual experimental results or clear diagrams that show for example how does the diffraction pattern for a given input looks like. So getting an intuitive grasp of the subject at a pictorial level, where you can 'see' the results is a bit challenging to get out of this book. also very expensive.



4. Only the best will do - and this is it.
   
   Mandatory reading for anyone involved in optics. Goodman's books are treasure troves.



5. I took a class in Fourier Optics and found this text to be indispensable. It explains everything very clearly and concisely, which is a minor miracle for a text at this level. I didn't have any particular background in optics, and was able to pick this up and understand every word.
   
   I do agree with the earlier poster that more 'physical' or graphical representations of concepts would have been useful as I tend to be a visual learner.

5 comments about Control Systems Engineering.

1. Norman Nise has done a great job with this book.This book is a first hand guide for beginners who have absolutely no knowledge of Control Systems and its purposes. The book with its details of each methodology & its purposes gives an indepth view of the subject. This is excellent tool for beginners (for understanding the fundamentals) and gradually upgrading to a better level by able to design systems. The Skill Assessment Exercises are able to bring out the key techniques to solve any problem. A must buy for all people interested in Control Systems Engineering and looking for a book where fundamentals can be cleared.



2. As a student in control systems engineering, I found this text to be very valuable (I had the 3rd Edition then). As an engineer, I found it to be my everyday reference. A few years back, I jumped ship from the engineering field and have obtained a PhD in another field of science and to my surprise, I still reference this text today. Great Text!! Dorf and Bishop is not bad but Nise takes first place.



3. Very complimentary to the main text if you are actually trying to learn and have the time and energy to go over more examples.



4. This textbook is an extremely comfortable read. It covers a lot of material, including fundamentals of state space and digital control. Its clarity and excellent writing ensures that the reader is never sidetracked trying to resolve what's being conveyed. The introductory chapter alone reveals the quality of this text.
   
   The organization, including the two comprehensive case studies, is perfect throughout the book. The prerequiste is nothing more than a full course on electric circuits (ideally). This book is probably my favourite one among my fifty plus engineering textbooks.



5. The book is very good, but you feel cheated because the access to the web site is just for some time.
   When you buy the book, you buy also the right to access the site whenever you like. Not in this case.

5 comments about Electrical Wiring Commercial, 13E.

1. My students have also asked me to change books. It does contain some good information if you can wade through the mistakes to find it.



2. This book was perhaps intended first for vocational school students who will become electricians, but our small professional engineering firm has used it for more than a decade as a self-study professional development course for young mechanical and electrical engineers with design responsibilities for building HVAC systems. We just bought five copies of this latest edition.
   
   The twenty-one units average sixteen pages each and cover all topics needed to calculate and layout the design of a small commercial building. The book even includes a complete set of ten architectural and electrical drawings, so the reader can see what a completed electrical design looks like when ready for contractor bids. It's all here - from the branch circuits for receptacles, HVAC motors, and lighting through the panelboards, and electrical service.
   
   The book has several hundred illustrations, charts, and tables and detailed references to the National Electrical Code.
   
   The author is a licensed electrician and teacher. His coauthor is a professional engineer and professor.



3. This book is definetly for the student. If you are an experienced contractor looking to broaden your knowledge, keep shopping.



4. Very well written and organized. Supporting diagrams and pictures were very helpful



5. tHIS BOOK BASED ON 2005 NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE IS A GOOD INSTRUMENT FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINERS DEDICATED TO COMMERCIAL DESIGNS

4 comments about Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Analog and Digital Communications.

1. Hsu gives you a wide spread of topics. The book certainly has an impressive coverage. It talks about most types of digital modulation techniques, like Pulse Code Modulation. Plus, there is an explanation of random processes and simple probability. Necessary because of the inherent stochastic nature of much of communications. Which then leads directly into information theory, and the key Shannon concepts of how to find a quantitative measure of information in a channel with a given signal power and noise power.
   
   Understand, though, that the very breadth of the discussion means that Hsu often only has time for a brief venture into each topic. But, then again, the book's title does say "Outline". This is really a review book, rather than a text from which to learn material for the first time.



2. I have used Schaum's outlines for 40 years and this is no different. Excellent explanations and problem solving.



3. This is an excellent supplement for upper level undergraduate electrical engineering students enrolled in a communications class, particularly if either "Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems" by Lathi or "Communication Systems Engineering" by Proakis is being used as the main textbook. This outline follows along with the topics in those books particularly well. The first two chapters go into the basics of signals and systems and discuss linearity, time invariance, impulse response, and the Fourier and Hilbert transforms. The next two chapters discuss the principles of amplitude and frequency modulation. The next four chapters cover the idea of random processes from the standpoint of communication theory. First the concepts of probability and random variables are introduced. Then random processes themselves are outlined. Finally these concepts are applied in chapters on noise in communication and hypothesis testing. I think this section of the outline does a particularly good job of presenting material and worked problems on possibly one of the hardest topics to understand in electrical engineering undergraduate studies. The final two chapters of the outline cover the basics of information theory and error control coding.
   The depth of material presented is not sufficient for self-study, but is very good supplemental material. The problems are excellent with many worked out examples, and there are more than enough illustrations and figures to help explain the subject. I highly recommend this outline.



4. A concise and useful analysis approach on the subject. It is intended for a junior or higher level college audience. I used this for more technical details while taking an engineering technology course on communications.

5 comments about Silicon VLSI Technology: Fundamentals, Practice, and Modeling (Prentice Hall Electronics and Vlsi Series).

1. Before this book was published, Wolf & Tauber's book was the only good reference I had. Plummer's new book has a thorough review of basic principles, very well updated parts on current manufacturing equipments (Wolf's book also has extensive coverage in this respect). The best part in my opinion is oxidation & diffusion parts where the authors are one of the leaders in current research. The book not only focuses on the specific details, but also gives an integrated view of the whole CMOS fabrication process, which I enjoyed a lot.

   I strongly recommend this book for students who want to learn basics of IC fabrication and also professional engineers who needs a good and well updated reference.




2. The best part of this book is that it covers modern fabrication technology. I expecially liked the approach of introducing the complete CMOS fabrication flow in the beginning. It puts a context to following chapters. It is what I call system level approach for slicon fabrication. There is also emphasis on measurement and simulutions that are missing from traditional books. Both these are essential to modern technology. Also, I was very happy to see details on manufacturing choices - e.g. LOCOS vs STI. Explanations are clear.
   This is a text book, therefore at times may seem too dense, but definitely worth it if you are a process engineer.



3. I've read a number of books in this field - Plummer, Wolf, Campbell, Sze, Madou. Each book has its strength, and Plummer's book stands out in terms of its broad, in-depth coverage of modern silicon CMOS technology. It doesn't cover MEMS or other exotic nanofabrication.
   
   Many students who've read the book said that Chap 2, where a modern CMOS process flow is described step by step from the substrate to back-end, was the best part. By doing so, the authors teach us that not only unit processes but their collection, i.e. process integration, is the key in successful CMOS technology.
   
   Overall, the quality of the content and attention to small details are superb, as one can expect from a book written by one of world's foremost researchers in the field (Plummer is the Dean of Engineering School at Stanford). In particular, I liked chap2 for integrated description of CMOS flow, the lithography chapter which covers optical systems, details of photoresists, phase shift masking. Also, diffusion and ion implantation parts are second to none, since the authors made numerous contributions to the research field. It's such pleasure to learn about the latest in silicon IC processing from the Silicon Valley authority at Stanford!
   
   The book has been adopted by many US engineering schools already, and I see it on many bookshelves belonging to IC engineers. If you need an authoritive, well-organized reference for modern silicon IC processing, I strongly recommend this book.



4. A superbly written book on fabrication of silicon integrated circuits.Chapter 2 provides a gentle yet fairly detailed introduction to the overall process and each item touched therein is expanded subsequently.The language is clear and figures convey their intended meaning,overall its a wonderful starting point for further study in silicon integrated circuits technology.As has been pointed out in one of the reviews here, this book has been adopted in many US universities.The link embedded in this review is one such instance and as such can be used to obtain more information and benefit from a full set of audio lectures, assignemnts and other supplementary material as a part of MIT's open course ware program.The instructor is Prof Judy Hoyt.
   [...]



5. if your an electrical / process engineer, this is one of the must have books.

2 comments about Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design.

1. Good power electronics textbook. I use it for my power electronics course at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. It covers a lot of material well, including switching power converters, thermal and magnetics design. It's a bit thin in some important subjects, such as current mode control.

   Marc T. Thompson, Ph.D.




2. Although a little light on full converter schematics, this textbook contained excellent descriptions of converter building blocks and semiconductor device physics. It is excellent that it came with a simulator program too.

5 comments about Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB(R).

1. This book educates the reader in image processing and MATLAB. While I am experienced in both, I found the book to be an extrememly useful reference book for projects involving image compression and image representation. The book offered practical descriptions and useful code for computing the fast wavelet transform. It was especially useful in describing how the edges should treated. This is a big issue that other textbooks gloss over. I had never seen it described in a textbook, and it was described so well.
   
   The color image processing chapter is excellent, and the image processing chapter is pretty good. Lots of explanation and code.
   
   While the book stands alone, it can also be seen as a useful companion book to the more theoretical "Digital Imaging Processing" by Gonzalez and Woods (2nd edition). This is a different book even though it has close to the same name.



2. I bought this book for two reasons (a) I needed an overview of IP and (b) I wanted to examine different pattern analysis algorithms with a practical twist. On both counts, as an non-IP researcher, I was very satisfied. The book is very well laid out, so well in fact that it would put to shame many of its rivals. It served my needs. I can't comment on whether it will meet the needs of a broader community. I would certainly recommend it based on my experience.



3. Great text for learning image processing and using it with MATLAB. Hopefully the instructor also uses its mathematical insight as well.



4. This book has been really helpful to write my own tools for image analysis, such as leaf area index estimations from digital images and microscopy imaging analysis.
   
   I think that for people involved in image processing and analyisis, this book is a must.



5. This is a superb book-- I found it useful for both instruction as a reference on the syntax and form of doing things in Matlab with images and also as an in-depth text on the subject of image processing. Illustrated with easily followed examples and explicit description of the math involved in image processing operations, it provides a handy edge of explanation beyond what is available in the Matlab help files. This book is almost always signed out with a lineup at our university library, and is useful across many disciplines.

5 comments about Understanding Audio: Getting the Most Out of Your Project or Professional Recording Studio.

1. I recently embarked on the adventure of transforming my basement into a functioning recording studio. Shortly after beginning the process I realized I was way in over my head. However, after reading "Understanding Audio", all of my questions have been answered. After providing you with a basis for understanding how sound works, Thompson gives several suggestions and techniques for setting up your equipment for optimal sound quality. Project guidelines are given at the end of each chapter which help you apply the techniques discussed. I'm happy to say that my studio is nearly finished and I am thoroughly pleased with the sound quality it is producing. I definitely recommend this book to anyone thinking about building their own studio, or for anyone who is interested in learning more about the way sound works.



2. Through friends I heard about Berklee Press' books and decided to check out a few titles at the local bookstore. I was very impressed and requested a catalog, and in the catalog I found Understanding Audio: Getting the Most Out of Your Project or Professional Recording Studio. Being a novice in the sound recording world, I decided to risk the $25 and buy the book. Let me tell you it was $25 well spent. This book explains, in a very understandable way, basic and advanced audio techniques. One thing I found most useful was it explained how putting a microphone at different angles produces a different type of sound. It also goes as far as showing the history of recording studios and their technology. This was a perfect book for me because it is not only a handbook for intermediate to advanced level sound engineers, but it also serves as a beginners guide to sound as well. The graphic examples are extremely accurate and helpful, and the in depth detail of every topic is excellent. This is a great book for anyone currently working or planning on working in the recording field.



3. Begin (and end) your quest for audio knowledge as it relates to a studio and modern recording with one book. It delivers what the title promises, an understanding of audio (even if you're not building a studio). I found UNDERSTANDING AUDIO an immensly practical and comprehensive volume explaining "everything you needed to know about audio", whether you're a layman, student or professional. From start to finish, the explanations of concepts, processes, and technical definitions were abundantly clear and free of unnecessary techno-babble. This is used as a text at Boston's Berklee College of Music, but don't let that scare you, rather embrace it. (especially since you won't have to pay the tuition fee) The writing is concise with well chosen words and the information is top notch stuff. Designed to give you a complete overview of the various and interactive components of "audio", it more than does so and in my opinion, better than any other comparable book on the market today at any price.



4. I just started to work with the technical group at Church and needed to come up to speed on audio systems. I'm an amateur radio operator (ham) so technical things didn't scare me but I just didn't know about the equipment or concepts.
   
   This was a great book to show me what's out there, how it's controlled and what to look for.
   
   I've realized the world is ratio's and this book did a great job showing how things are processed and reasons why they are that way. Great book to learn from and a fantastic book to double check others thoughts. (Yea, politics)
   
   Best book I've seen so far on audio systems to date.



5. A textbook for students of no direction.The author dips into everything possible in the subject of audio production ,in a schematic, superficial, lightweight, naive and easy way that the reader is left without real information, motivation ,inspiration or
   means of accomplishing anything - being sound design and manipulation or music creation and production.In fact it's a feel-good book written for those ignorant or already knowing a bit, provided they are not interested in learning anything more.
   The title appears deceptive (actually it is much more enticing than the author's credentials).
   Do you remember those "look busy" screensavers of the old days?They made you look to others as if you were doing something very serious and difficult while doing really nothing; well, leave this book open in your DAW desk : it's the printed equivalent.

5 comments about The Circuit Designer's Companion, Second Edition (EDN Series for Design Engineers).

1. I am about 2/3 the way through the book and am disappointed - not with the book, but with my schooling!
   
   My profs were great and dedicated, but they didn't teach half the stuff in this book, not nearly enough real-world engineering. We came out of school without really knowing how to make a professional, working circuit design.
   
   This great book will help the transition from school boy to engineer.
   
   I highly recommend this book. Tim Williams explains real-world, critical circuit concerns in an easy to understand manner and backs it up with equations. For instance, did your profs ever explain what "ground bounce" really was, and if so did they emphasize how important it is to prevent and how?
   
   The Circuit Designer's Companion is full of great advice and I hope to find more books by this author.



2. If you are like most of us and don't have a really seasoned high frequency PCB layout guy, this book will likely pay for itself with your first new PCB design. Tim has done a great job jotting down a lifetime of experience and knowledge in designing PWB's, but the information could use some organization. Still, it provides a ready reference to get you away from some fairly common pitfalls in RF design and gives you enough info. to understand why - which is the real value of this book to me and my colleagues.
   
   For those wanting more design level info on RF electronics see Chris Bowick's "RF Circuit Design". If you need more basic, but more diverse info see Jon Hagen's "Radio Frequency Electronics", and if you are in need of some testing guidance you won't be dissapointed in Joseph Carr's book "Practical Radio Frequency Test & Measurement", or if you are more into the magnetics/ TEM side of things Jerry Sevick's book "Transmission Line Transformers will be a sound investment. Lastly, if you need some PCB layout advice, your money will be well spent on Tim William's book "The Circuit Designers Companion".



3. As other reviewers have already pointed out this book is a great source of practical design information that is not covered in engineering theory courses. One can read and re-read chapters highlighting great rules of thumb that apply to every-day design challenges. The book is really a must-have reference for any circuit/PCB/product designer.
   
   That said, I have to suggestions to improve the book:
   
   1. Analog domain is covered very well in this book, but the chapter on digital circuits is lacking in several important areas in my opinion.
   
   a. I2C and SPI interfaces should be included alongside RS232, CAN and USB interface descriptions. Trade-offs of using I2C and SPI should be highlighted.
   
   b. Digital interface timing parameters like setup, hold, edge rate, etc. should at least be mentioned. Here's why:
   
   c. A discussion of digital bus topologies as it relates to timing parameters and PCB layout should be discussed. How to connect a multi-device bus, and make sure it satisfies interface timing specifications? Discuss star and daisy-chain topologies for layout. Fan-out and loading are already covered, but add examples of how those derate timing parameters on a shared bus.
   
   2. The book is called a "companion". Unfortunately, in my experience the book's construction does not stand up to even moderate use. Sections of pages in my book have separated from the binding.
   
   For someone thinking about buying the book these criticisms should not be taken alone. I chose not to cover all the wonderful parts of this book because other reviews here do a great job of it. I would not hesitate to recommend this insightful and well-written reference to anyone looking to improve their practical electronics design knowledge or to refresh skills lost to memory.



4. Haven't finished reading it, but so far appears to have practical info that you likely won't learn in school untill you get some experience in the field.



5. This book are a great help in theory and practice for circuit designs.
   Covering all aspects of the field, with a strong enphasys in solving the real circuit
   problems and nuissances.