Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook [Paperback]

Ray Horak (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470041412 | ISBN-13: 978-0470041413 | Publication Date: September 21, 2007

For an accessible and comprehensive survey of telecommunications and data communications technologies and services, consult the Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook, which includes information on origins, evolution and meaningful contemporary applications. Find discussions of technologies set in context, with details on fiber optics, cellular radio, digital carrier systems, TCP/IP, and the Internet. Explore topics like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP); 802.16 & WiMAX; Passive Optical Network (PON); 802.11g & Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) in this easily accessible guide without the burden of technical jargon.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I found the book to be a well written wealth of knowledge." (ACUTA Journal of Communications Technology in Higher Education, Summer 2008)

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Ray Horak’s book, Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook. The book’s 791 pages, divided into 15 chapters, cover everything from legacy technology such as basic telephone switching to leading edge technologies such as DWDM optical networks, 3G wireless networks, and IPTV converged video. I have read other Horak books in the past, but this one is the most comprehensive one that he has done to date.
The book appears to be best suited as either a text book for a telecommunications class or a reference book. Using Texas terminology, the book is a mile wide but not very deep. You would be hard pressed to find a topic that was not discussed in the almost 800 pages of the book, but most topics are covered in less than one page. It is an encyclopedic work, not the reference that you would use if you needed a comprehensive understanding of any specific technology. On the other hand, if one of your peers brings up a new technology during the course of a conversation (for example MMS), and you want to know what he or she is talking about to avoid appearing uninformed, this book could prove to be invaluable. In other words, it doesn’t paint the whole picture in high resolution, but it provides a lot more than a snapshot.
A few of the topics that I found of the most interest included the sections on Broadband over Power Line (BPL), HiperLAN, VDSL, IEEE 802.16 WiMAX and IPTV. There are a few topics that I would like to have seen covered that were not, but this leaves open the opportunity for the next edition.
Overall, I found the book to be a well written wealth of knowledge. I plan to use it as the text for my undergraduate course in telecommunications in the spring.
—Reviewed by Walt Magnussen, Director of Telecommunications, Texas A&M University (ACUTA: Journal of Communications Technology in Higher Education, Summer 2008)

"If you can have one book on voice and data communications, this is the book to have." (The Prepaid Press, May 14th, 2008)

"The book is very well written and accessible to the average reader." (Computing Reviews, May 6, 2008)

"Readers wanting to gain insight into the terminology of the field would be advised to consult this outstanding reference book." (American Reference Books Annual, March 2008)

"A must-have acquisition for both beginners and practioners…highly recommended." (CHOICE, February 2008)

From the Back Cover

A practical, accessible survey of telecommunications and data communications services and technologies

Finally, there is a commonsense guide to telecommunications and data communications that non-engineers can understand. Popular author Ray Horak provides comprehensive, up-to-date information in plain English, instead of confusing technotalk. Recent developments covered include:

• 802.16 and WiMAX

• Passive Optical Network (PON)

• 802.11g/n

• Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)

• Broadband over Power Line (BPL)

• Instant Messaging

• ZigBee

In addition, Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook expands on topics of increasing interest, including:

• Fiber Optics

• Storage Area Networks (SANs)

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

• CATV Networks

• Wireless, including Bluetooth

• Cellular, including 2.5G and 3G, photos, video, and ring tones and ring-back tones

• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), including IP PBX and IP Centrex

• Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) vs. H.323

Complete with a discussion of the current regulatory and business environments, including divestiture and revestiture as well as mergers and acquisitions, this is the ideal reference for non-engineering professionals in the end-user, carrier, content or service provider, manufacturing, regulatory, or financial communities.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 791 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience (September 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470041412
• ISBN-13: 978-0470041413
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,800,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ray Horak is the President of The Context Corporation (www.contextcorporation.com), an independent consultancy with its world headquarters in Mt. Vernon, WA. Ray has been involved in telecommunications for 40 years, having begun his career with Southwestern Bell and later gaining experience with AT&T and Bell Labs. He moved on as an executive with Continental Telephone, where he later founded CONTEL Tenant Services and served as General Manager of Executone Houston. Ray assumes no responsibility for the fact that most of these companies no longer exist in recognizable form. Ray is an acclaimed consultant, lecturer and writer with a plain-English, commonsense approach to telecommunications. He is the author of the best-selling Communications Systems and Networks (1997, 2000, & 2002). His most recent books for Wiley & Sons are Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook (2007, 2008) and Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary (2007). Ray has written hundreds of articles, white papers, solutions briefs, case studies and columns and currently is the Technology Editor for Telecom Reseller newspaper. He teaches public and private seminars around the world on telecommunications and has extensive experience as an expert consultant/witness in support of telecom-related litigation, largely involving intellectual property matters (trademarks, copyrights and patents) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A professional "Must Have", November 26, 2007

By 

Monte Baker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook (Paperback)

I have been a telecom professional for more than 30 years and I never thought any single reference book could surpass "Newton's Telecom Dictionary" for simplicity, accuracy and value.
But Ray Horak's "Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook" doesn't just exceed expectations; it raises the bar for any other authors who might consider entering the telecom reference book arena. This book has become the new "Bible" on my reference shelf. Mr. Horak obviously posesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the technology and general industry. He is able to express what he knows in terms that will be understood by the novice as well as the seasoned professional.
This book is a "must have" for anyone working in the telecom / IT industry. Add it to your Christmas wish list today. Or, skip the next telecom conference that you hoped to attend and just buy this book instead. You'll get more lasting value from the book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very comprehensive text, December 6, 2007

By 

Mark A. Miller (Longmont, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook (Paperback)

Most network managers are strong in either voice or data, but may not have as much experience in the other discipline. To further complicate this challenge, expertise is required in a number of specific areas, including LANs and WANs, legacy and emerging technologies, and new applications. If you have any of these educational gaps (and most of us do) pick up a copy of this book. Ray Horak provides the most comprehensive review of communication technologies that I have seen, and you will do yourself a favor to have this text in your personal library.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the Internet!, March 30, 2008

By 

Vladimir Kaminsky - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook (Paperback)

Telecommunications and Data Communications Handbook contains fifteen chapters and covers a wide variety of topics. The book can be recommended for different audiences, starting from students, which decided to become Electrical Engineers, as well as for engineers and managers, and technicians who need always to have a reliable source of information. It is a timely encyclopedic work and will remain so for many years! It also is a perfect companion to Horak's other excellent work, Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary, also published by Wiley in 2007.

Horak is an independent telecom consultant. He is active in litigation support as a consulting expert and testifying expert, often in cases involving intellectual property such as patent, copyright, and trademark and service infringement. He has authored five telecom books and written of hundreds of technical articles, white papers, case studies, and solution briefs.

Vladimir Kaminsky, PhD is a President of Practel, Inc, a consulting company that is specializing in advanced communications technologies and network design.