612 PROCEEDINGS OF THE IEEE, VOL. 6 6 , NO.

5, MAY 1978

and w i n d s up in the definitions and discussion of realistic parameter ends with a brief development of correlation detection. The coverage
generations that are approximate to develop a theory to conclude of correlation is somewhat less than in other texts, but it is sufficient
that for two- 01 en three-dimensional situations (Which prob- for the scope of the present text.
ably expensive for practical solutions) the aawacy of the solutions The major thrust of the book is modulation theory, which begins in
falls short of expectations. Chapter 5 with amplitude modulation. The coverage is conventional
Chapter 11 provides a brief description of the more advanced and adequate. Examples of the application of the theory =e frequently
methods for reactor analysis, such as the hnite element method, vari- discussed. Pilot carriers are illustrated with the broadcast stereo-
ational techniques, expansion factors, synthesis methods, etc. The multiplex system. Quadrature multiplexing is mentioned, and in a
strength and weakness aspects of sophisticated techuiques are studied second edition could be related to the discussion of color television in
with examples. Other techniques discussed are applicable to situations Appendix D. Frequency division multiplexing is illustrated with com-
not restrained by diffusion theory model. Two approximation h e m e s , mercial radio andtelevision channels. Perhaps the telephone system
nodal methods and response-matrix methods, are discussed with pros could also have been mentioned as an application of frequency division
and COIM for reactor-analysis problems. multiplexing.
The author has provided an exceIlent treatise of the most essential * A discussion of the effects of noise on amplitude modulation is the
aspects of analysis for typical nudear reactors (excluding controlled last major topic in the chapter. Sandwiched between this development
fusion reactors). The author could have avoided discrepmdes in the and a summary, in which the various amplitude modulation schemes are
adaptation of subscripts and symbologies which he has picked up from compared, is a brief discussion of propagation effects. The discussion
various sources. This is bound to confuse the reader. However, since is out of place, but an alternative location is not easy to suggest.
the author has provided predse definitions on most situations, the Angle modulation is developed in Chapter 6. As with amplitude mod-
above has been amended to a great extent. In the opinion of the ulation, both the modulation theory and the effect ofnoise are de-
reviewer, the book is a valuable addition to any hirary of an institu- veloped in the same chapter and in a conventional manner. The theory
tion, no matter whether it is research, academic or practical-engineering is illustrated with a discussion of broadcast FM and further discussion
oriented. It is a welcome addition to thereactor designers m particular. of stereo-multiplex including the subsidiarycommunicationvauthoriza-
tion channel. There is an optional section which covers fust-order and
Reprinted from IEEE Transuctions on Nuclear Science, December second-order phase-locked loops, and an appendix which gives a few
1977.
details of commercial preemphasis systems.
Pulse modulation is covered in Chapter 7. The discussion is mostly
conventional, covering the various types of modulation and time-
division multiplexing. There is considerable emphasis on PCM, which
is appropriate. In addition to some hardware details of encoders and
decoders, the T-carrier telephone system is briefly discussed. The
Introduction to Communiations Systems-Ferrel G. Stremler (Read-
ing, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1977). Rm‘ewd by Richard s. Simpson, chapter ends with a discussion of matched filtering, which is an interest-
theDepartment of Elecmkal Engineering, University of Houston, ing approach.
Probability, random variables, and random processes are covered in
Houston, TX 77004. Chapter 8. The coverage is standard, brief, and easily followed.
Before 1960, there were few modem texts to consider for a senior The last chapter is a potpourri of topics based upon the statistical
course in communication systems.Since that time, an evolutionary developments in Chapter 8. These begin with the concepts of infor-
process has been taking place with the publication of a number of mation, channel capacity, and quantization noise. Baseband topics of
books At present it appears that the area has reached a degree of intersymbol interference, probability of error in detection, and the
maturity, since the topics covered are largely the same in eachnew modulation techniques of differential PCM and delta modulation are
book published. The differences among the new books have been then developed. Finally, digital modulation (ASK, FSK, and PSK)
mostly pedagogical. Stremler’s book is no exception. is discussed briefly.
The introductory chapter is mostly devoted to a brief classification The book is,bypage count, 38-percent signal andsystem theory,
of signals and systems. Only approximately onathird of the chapter, 39-percent modulation theory, 12-percent statistical theory, and
which describes the classical modem-channel model of a communi- 11-percent digital communication theory. The emphasis is certainly
cation system, is a true introduction to the topic of the book as given on the fundamentals of signals, systems,and modulation.
by the title. Throughout the book there are numerous worked-out examples and
Signal and system theory is covered in Chapters 2 through 4. T h e e drill problems. In addition, there are a large number of problems lo-
chapters can serve as a review of the theory or as a fnst introduction cated at the end of each chapter. A solutions manual is available.
for the student who has little background other than simple Fourier In summary, Stremler covers the proper material. Further, the book
theory. is written for students with logical topic development and with con-
Fourier series are developed in Chapter 2. The discussion beginswith siderable discussion. The students’ motivation is kept high by frequent
series expansions using orthogonal basis functions and an effort is made references to familiar examples of the theory being discussed. The text
to convince the student that the complex exponential function is a should be well receivedby the academic community.
judicious choice for the functions. Further, the relationship between
these functions and the trigonometric functions is carefully developed Reprinted from IEEE Communications Society Magazine, January
1978.
with several illustrations. The trigonometric Fourier series is presented
in a standard manner with interesting side discussionson harmonic gen-
eration and spectrum analyzers. H a n d h k of Technicrt Writing-charles T. BNMW, Gerald I. Abed,
One of the definite assets of the text is optional sections devoted to and Walter E. Oliu (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1976,571 pp., index,
numerical computation. Such a section in Chapter 2 concerns the cal- paper). Reviewed by Della A. Whittaker, U S A m y Hmry Dfmnond
culation of Fourier coefficients. Luboratories,Adelphi, MD 20783.
In the closing pages of Chapter 2, the impulse function is discussed
in simple terms, which should make the student relatively comfortable The busy technical writer can find whatever he needs stylistically in
with this necessarily vague concept. In particular, it is shown that with the Handbook of Technical Writing, and he can find it fast. Prepared as
a limiting operation, a number of pulse shapes havethe properties of an a college textbook, the Handbook can serve just as well as a desk refer-
impulse function. ence for the employed writer.
Fourier transforms are treated in Chapter 3. The development is Why?
quite standard in approach. Also discussed in the chapter are graphical (1) Its entries are alphabetized. Whether they be types of business
convolution, ideal filters, and sampling theory. The chapter concludes writing, such as the article, letter of application or inquiry, memoran-
with a discussion of the discrete Fourier transform and the fast Fourier dum, questionnaire, proposal, resume, specification, or manual; meth-
transform, which is well done and necessaryin a modern text. o d s of writing, such as planning, researching, og-, w r i t i i , and
The concepts of power spectral density and energy spectral density revising; illustrations; or speech and group discussions, all topics appear
are carefully developed in Chapter 4 in a manner which should be easy in the book in alphabetical order.
for the student to follow. The initial discussion is followed by a non- (2) Its entries are aoss-referenced. Under “paragraph,” for example,
statistical development of bandpass noise and thermal noise. A l s o , the reader is directed by bold print to the related topics of topic sen-
equivalent noise bandwidth and noise f w r e are defined. The chapter tence, organization, method of development, transition, repetition,