Digital Communications: Fundamentals and Applications (2nd Edition) (Prentice Hall Communications Engineering and Emerging Technologies Series) (Hardcover)

by Bernard Sklar (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A comprehensive treatment of the digital communications field, presenting theory and applications together, for professionals from all backgrounds. The CD-ROM contains SystemView software for digital communications and notes, tutorials, and exercises for getting started. System requirements: Microsoft Windows, CD-ROM drive, DLC: Digital communications.

From the Publisher
A comprehensive examination of digital communication systems and signal processing techniques. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1079 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR; 2 edition (January 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130847887
• ISBN-13: 978-0130847881
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #142,879 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digital Communications: Fundamentals & Applications, 2nd Ed., February 26, 2001

By	George Edwards (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best books on the market for communications. As a university professor I am always looking for that special book that can take the student from the formative learning stage into maturity in the field of communication and signal processing. This book is an excellent text for such a journey. It provides a good mix of theory and practice with many worked examples. Unlike many texts in communications theory that provide their audiences with a lot of theory and abstractions that leave them confused, this book is so well written and the theory so well handled and presented, that its concepts are easily grasped. Then, to supplement this, the book has numerous worked examples showing practical applications. As an educator in the field of communications I have adapted this book for my course because its stated attributes above make my work in educating students that much easier. I recommend this book without reservation to anyone who needs a good reference in the field of communications.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview but not mathematically rigorous, September 17, 2002

By	Rajesh S. Raghavan (Copley, OH 44321) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Digital Communications by Sklar is an excellent introduction to the field for the student or the practicing engineer. There is a logical flow from beginning to end, and the book is written in an easy to read style, which allows the reader to grasp the engineering tradeoffs involved in digital communications.

The book is not mathematically rigorous; although formulas are presented, they are not derived. However, I feel that to correct this shortfall may make the book too long, and harder to read. I think it is better to get a general overview of the topic from this book, and to look to other sources where mathematical rigor is desired.

Some additional background is helpful, but not necessary to understand the mathematical details that are glossed over. These include a course in Detection and Estimation to understand concepts such as signal spaces, noise, decision regions and probability of error, and an introductory DSP course to understand the issues surrounding aliasing, quantizing, equalization, and source coding. Familiarity with Fourier Transforms and prior background with Probability and Random Processes is essential to understanding the math that is presented in the book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for someone who wants to appreciate the engineeering constraints that need to be met in the design of digital communication systems.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest digital communications books of our age!, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Digital Communications: Fundamentals and Applications (Hardcover)

I initially was introduced to the book when I took the course in undergraduate electrical engineering curriculum. A graduate curriculum and a year of engineering experience later, I still believe this book is one of the best engineering books, one of the most useful communications books, the best reference book to own and utilize as an engineer. Sklar has a clear vision of the abstract mathematics and complex concepts of the communication world and he transfers that vision into words, pictures, and crystal clear descriptions. Highly recommended even for general reading.