The Technician's Radio Receiver Handbook is an invaluable tool for anyone involved in the technologies of wireless, cellular telephone, telecommunications, avionics, and other forms of electronic communication using radio waves. The market demand for and use of wireless and telecommunication technology has increased dramatically over the past decade, leaving many technicians and other communications professionals with the need for accurate information on how the newest equipment works and how to fix any problems that arise. Joe Carr, a notable author in the amateur radio and communications markets, explains both the new and old technologies, the science behind the scenes, as well as troubleshooting techniques not found in any other book. The book will also have a companion website including helpful calculation software, customizable spreadsheets, and much more. - Written for technicians and hands-on practitioners in clear, easy-to-read text with many detailed illustrations - Contains information on cutting-edge receiver equipment as well as the most popular types used today in a variety of markets - Destined to be a constant reference and superb training guide for anyone interested in communications technology
Written by an expert in the field, this book covers the principles, architectures, applications, specifications and characterizations of radio receivers In this book, the author introduces the reader to the basic principles and theories of present-day communications receiver technology. The first section of the book presents realization concepts at the system level, taking into consideration the various types of users. Details of the circuitry are described providing the reader with an understanding of fully digitized radio receivers, offering an insight into the state-of-the-art. The remaining sections address radio receivers, particularly as two-port devices. Furthermore, the author outlines the fields of applications (with sample calculations and with reference to practical work) and their features and considers also the specialty of high-quality radio receivers. As can be seen from the multitude of terrestrial applications described in Part II, they are typically used for radio surveillance, signal intelligence, modern radio bearing and at the classical radio services. Parts III and IV describe the entire range of parameters that are useful for the characterization of these receivers. The description starts from the physical effect, or the explanation of the individual parameter, and then proceeds to the measuring technique for determining the parameters, highlighting problems, followed by explanatory notes with applicatory relevance. The measuring procedures described are the result of experiences gained in extended laboratory work and practical testing. With the model shown in Part IV, used for the operational evaluation detailing the intrinsic small range of interpretation, the book covers untreated research in the field. The Appendix provides among others valuable information about the dimensioning of receiving systems and the mathematical derivation of non-linear effects and as well as a useful method for converting different level specifications. Key Features: Introduces the basic principles and theories of present-day technology Discusses concepts at system level (aligned to the various types of users) Addresses (fully) digitized radio receivers focusing on the state-of-the-art Close contacts to the industry were utilized to show background information Enables the reader to comprehend and evaluate the characteristic features and the performance of such systems Examines the entire range of parameters that are characteristic of the technology including the physical effect and measuring techniques Includes results of experiences gained in extended laboratory work and practical testing with examples Provides a uniform and systematic approach for ease of understanding e.g. many didactic figures for the visual illustration have been newly created as well as complete real-world examples This book will be an excellent resource to understand the principles of work, for professionals developing and testing radio receivers, for receiver users (e.g. at regulatory agencies, surveillance centers, secret services, classical radio communications services), technicians, engineers and technicians who work with RF-measurement instruments, postgraduate students studying in the field and university lecturers. Chartered radio amateurs and handlers/operators will also find this book insightful. Due to high level of detail, it also serves as a reference. By using the carefully edited alphabetical index with over 1,200 entries, the appropriate explanations can be found quickly in the text.
Written by an expert in the field, this book covers the principles, architectures, applications, specifications and characterizations of radio receivers In this book, the author introduces the reader to the basic principles and theories of present-day communications receiver technology. The first section of the book presents realization concepts at the system level, taking into consideration the various types of users. Details of the circuitry are described providing the reader with an understanding of fully digitized radio receivers, offering an insight into the state-of-the-art. The remaining sections address radio receivers, particularly as two-port devices. Furthermore, the author outlines the fields of applications (with sample calculations and with reference to practical work) and their features and considers also the specialty of high-quality radio receivers. As can be seen from the multitude of terrestrial applications described in Part II, they are typically used for radio surveillance, signal intelligence, modern radio bearing and at the classical radio services. Parts III and IV describe the entire range of parameters that are useful for the characterization of these receivers. The description starts from the physical effect, or the explanation of the individual parameter, and then proceeds to the measuring technique for determining the parameters, highlighting problems, followed by explanatory notes with applicatory relevance. The measuring procedures described are the result of experiences gained in extended laboratory work and practical testing. With the model shown in Part IV, used for the operational evaluation detailing the intrinsic small range of interpretation, the book covers untreated research in the field. The Appendix provides among others valuable information about the dimensioning of receiving systems and the mathematical derivation of non-linear effects and as well as a useful method for converting different level specifications. Key Features: Introduces the basic principles and theories of present-day technology Discusses concepts at system level (aligned to the various types of users) Addresses (fully) digitized radio receivers focusing on the state-of-the-art Close contacts to the industry were utilized to show background information Enables the reader to comprehend and evaluate the characteristic features and the performance of such systems Examines the entire range of parameters that are characteristic of the technology including the physical effect and measuring techniques Includes results of experiences gained in extended laboratory work and practical testing with examples Provides a uniform and systematic approach for ease of understanding e.g. many didactic figures for the visual illustration have been newly created as well as complete real-world examples This book will be an excellent resource to understand the principles of work, for professionals developing and testing radio receivers, for receiver users (e.g. at regulatory agencies, surveillance centers, secret services, classical radio communications services), technicians, engineers and technicians who work with RF-measurement instruments, postgraduate students studying in the field and university lecturers. Chartered radio amateurs and handlers/operators will also find this book insightful. Due to high level of detail, it also serves as a reference. By using the carefully edited alphabetical index with over 1,200 entries, the appropriate explanations can be found quickly in the text.
This comprehensive sourcebook thoroughly explores the state-of-the-art in communications receivers, providing detailed practical guidance for constructing an actual high dynamic range receiver from system design to packaging. You also find clear explanations of the technical underpinnings that you need to understand for your work in the field . This cutting-edge reference presents the latest information on modern superheterodyne receivers, dynamic range, mixers, oscillators, complex coherent synthesizers, automatic gain control, DSP and software radios.You find in-depth discussions on system design, including coverage of all pertinent data and tools. Moreover, the book offers you a solid understanding of packaging and mechanical considerations, as well as a look at tomorrowOCOs receiver technology, including new Bragg-cell applications for ultra-wideband electronic warfare receivers. This one-stop resource is packed with over 300 illustrations that support critical topics throughout."
If you're a student or hobbyist who enjoys working with electronics, you'll love this project-packed book. It puts at your fingertips the hands-on guidance you need.
Provides a fundamental understanding of current as well as future concepts and techniques essential for systematically defining and manufacturing a receiver that is flexible yet functional in today's world. An excellent introduction to communications and the role of receivers in conveying information.
Software defined radio (SDR) is one of the most important topics of research, and indeed development, in the area of mobile and personal communications. SDR is viewed as an enabler of global roaming and as a unique platform for the rapid introduction of new services into existing live networks. It therefore promises mobile communication networks a major increase in flexibility and capability. SDR brings together two key technologies of the last decade - digital radio and downloadable software. It encompasses not only reconfiguration of the air interface parameters of handset and basestation products but also the whole mobile network, to facilitate the dynamic introduction of new functionality and mass-customised applications to the user's terminal, post-purchase. This edited book, contributed by internationally respected researchers and industry practitioners, describes the current technological status of radio frequency design, data conversion, reconfigurable signal processing hardware, and software issues at all levels of the protocol stack and network. The book provides a holistic treatment of SDR addressing the full breadth of relevant technologies - radio frequency design, signal processing and software - at all levels. As such it provides a solid grounding for a new generation of wireless engineers for whom radio design in future will assume dynamic flexibility as a given. In particular it explores * The unique demands of SDR upon the RF subsystem and their implications for front end design methodologies * The recent concepts of the 'digital front end' and 'parametrization' * The role and key influence of data conversion technologies and devices within software radio, essential to robust product design * The evolution of signal processing technologies, describing new architectural approaches * Requirements and options for software download * Advances in 'soft' protocols and 'on-the-fly' software reconfiguration * Management of terminal reconfiguration and its network implications * The concepts of the waveform description language The book also includes coverage of * Potential breakthrough technologies, such as superconducting RSFQ technology and the possible future role of MEMS in RF circuitry * Competing approaches, eg all-software radios implemented on commodity computing vs advanced processing architectures that dynamically optimise their configuration to match the algorithm requirements at a point in time The book opens with an introductory chapter by Stephen Blust, Chair of the ITU-R WP8F Committee and Chair of the SDR Forum presenting a framework for SDR, in terms of definitions, evolutionary perspectives, introductory timescales and regulation. Suitable for today's engineers, technical staff and researchers within the wireless industry, the book will also appeal to marketing and commercial managers who need to understand the basics and potential of the technology for future product development. Its balance of industrial and academic contributors also makes it suitable as a text for graduate and post-graduate courses aiming to prepare the next generation of wireless engineers.
State-of-the-art communications receiver technologies and design strategies This thoroughly updated guide offers comprehensive explanations of the science behind today’s radio receivers along with practical guidance on designing, constructing, and maintaining real-world communications systems. You will explore system planning, antennas and antenna coupling, amplifiers and gain control, filters, mixers, demodulation, digital communication, and the latest software defined radio (SDR) technology. Written by a team of telecommunication experts, Communications Receivers: Principles and Design, Fourth Edition, features technical illustrations, schematic diagrams, and detailed examples. Coverage includes: • Basic radio considerations • Radio receiver characteristics • Receiver system planning • Receiver implementation considerations • RF and baseband techniques for Software-Defined Radios • Transceiver SDR considerations • Antennas and antenna coupling • Mixers • Frequency sources and control • Ancillary receiver circuits • Performance measurement
From the reviews: "... The notes and problems at the end of each chapter are very helpful. [...] In the final analysis, the book is definitely worth owning. [...] It is an extremely well written – but unusual – book that I highly recommend for all physicists." The Physics Teacher
Instrumentation and control, and electrical power engineering are increasingly reliant on radio-based communication technology. This is a comprehensive book covering the essentials of telemetry and radio communications. It explains the principles of telemetry and radio communications, describes their application and equips you with the skills to analyse, specify and debug telemetry and radio communications systems.Key issues addressed in this book are: * how to design and install radio (wireless) links* apply latest satellite technologies to your telemetry system* how to design and install microwave links* troubleshoot telemetry communications problems* tips, tricks and traps with radio links·A guide to the design, installation and utilization of radio applications in instrumentation and control, and electrical power engineering·Explains the principles of telemetry and radio communications, describes their application and equips you with the skills to analyse, specify and debug telemetry and radio communications systems·Addresses topical areas such as designing and installing wireless communications links, the application of satellite technologies in telemetry, microwave links, etc.
