Satellite Communications (Hardcover)

by Dennis Roddy (Author) "The use of satellites in communications systems is very much a fact of everyday life, as is evidenced by the many homes which are equipped..." (more)
Key Phrases: burst time plan, isotropic power gain, local gravity direction, Telesat Canada, United States, Hughes Communications Galaxy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE ON SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS Satellite Communications, Third Edition is the latest update of the reference widely regarded as the most complete and accessible intro to this dynamic area of engineering. This edition has been revised to include the hottest applications in a rapidly growing field with expanded coverage of CDMA…new Internet via satellite and digital TV broadcasting chapters…an expanded section on geostationary orbits…error correction coding…and a preview of coming applications and growth. Author Dennis Roddy's authoritative and readable treatment provides you with:

Full descriptions of hardware, including satellite structures, antennas, earth stations, and onboard systems
Cutting-edge applications such as wireless Internet, telephony, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and worldwide broadcasts of digital TV
New information on ATM, TCP/IP, and LEO networking over satellites, mobile systems, and onboard switching
Details on methods, orbits, links, access, signals, modulation, and interference
All examples and problems worked in MathCad, with mathematical complexities pared to a minimum

From the Back Cover
BEST CHOICE FOR COMPLETE, CURRENT COVERAGE

Classic guide to satellite communications fundamentals

Highly regarded for more than a decade as both teaching text and professional reference/tutorial, Satellite Communications has been revised, updated, and expanded to include the hottest applications in a rapidly growing field. Always the most complete and accessible entry point to this dynamic area of engineering, Satellite Communications spotlights practical issues that interest professionals and students alike. The author delivers worked examples that clearly illustrate best methods, and uses a writing style that makes both basics and finer technical points easy to absorb, whether you're in a class or tutoring yourself.

Features: *Authoritative, complete, and readable coverage, from an overview of the field to basic Keplerian theory, launch methods, and practical details of applications *Full descriptions of hardware, including satellite structures, antennas, earth stations, and onboard systems *Cutting-edge applications such as wireless Internet, telephony, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and worldwide broadcasts of digital TV *New information on ATM, TCP/IP, and LEO networking over satellites, mobile systems, and onboard switching *Details on methods, orbits, links, access, signals, modulation, and interference *All examples and problems worked in MathCad, with mathematical complexities pared to a minimum

For total understanding of satellite communications fundamentals--without a slog through dense mathematical abstractions--Dennis Roddy's book is the one to choose. It's a keeper that you'll turn to for answers throughout your career. NEW IN THIS EDITION Expanded coverage of CDMA Internet via satellite chapter Digital TV broadcasting chapter Expanded section on geostationary orbits Error correction coding Preview of coming applications and growth

Online Reader Reviews: *****Great Reference!! Roddy has written the definitive reference on satellite communications.*

*****A True Classic Text of Its Topic Roddy writes in an easy-to-follow style and includes many examples and exercises … Get this book if you need enlightenment on the fundamentals of satellite communications.* * On the Second Edition

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 569 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 3 edition (March 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071371761
• ISBN-13: 978-0071371766
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #998,680 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Concepts, Bad Mathmatics, November 6, 2004

By	R.D.K (Penn State University) - See all my reviews

While the book covers a wide range of topics and does a fairly good job at introducing the reader to satellite communications; there are many glaring errors contained in this edition.
Many of the equations given are incomplete or simply wrong. Many of the chapter problems have similar problems and nearly every section has incorrect chapter answers given in the back of the book.
Professionals with a grasp of the material may find the book useful however students and those new to the material will have trouble following the mathematical concepts due to misleading equations and incorrect examples given throughout the book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Roddey; very good intermediate level book., November 26, 2002

A Kid's Review

This book is very suitable for either an undergraduate EE student, or an interested laymen with modest communications knowledge (i.e. HAM radio, etc..). Roddey's writing style is fairly clear and crisp, and other reviewers are on the mark.

The technical content is fairly thorough for introductory
to intermediate purposes. However, this is definately not a "reference" or "bible" type book; nothing too exotic is contained therein.

The book has some nicely written chapters on general communications theory (i.e. channel capacity, etc..),
however, the content and treatment is skimpy.
If your interested in satellite communications but
don't know much about die-hard communications theory,
you'd be better of getting a companion book specifically
for that purpose [i.e. Sklar or Proakisl; both authors
have books called "Digital Communications"].

All in all, the book delivers what it promises and is
worth the price... Probably one of the top 4 books to
get on Satellite Communications... Also look into
[Timothy Pratt book; Gerard Maral book; and also Tri T Ha for those looking for a much more advanced book].

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the general satelite books, April 26, 2001

By	C. Langton "clwrites" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Satellite Communications, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

I am a communications engineer and I found the comm section of this book superbly written. The presentation is crystal clear and examples illuminating. A rare book that keeps theory to a minimum and conveys the maximum amount of practical knowledge. I recommend it highly. You may also see my other recommendations in the communications area at my website ....