Fundamentals of Telecommunications

Rating:
Summary: Readable AND Technically Accurate
Review: As an instructor it's great to find a book that is technically sound yet readable by non-engineers! So many so called readable books are shot full of technical holes and errors, but not this one. Yes, I know there is a lot of techie talk, but it is readable and the equations require only simple high school algebra. After you finish reading this book you won't make rookie mistakes. It's a book you can bet your job on!

Rating:
Summary: Readable AND Technically Accurate
Review: As an instructor it's great to find a book that is technically sound yet readable by non-engineers! So many so called readable books are shot full of technical holes and errors, but not this one. Yes, I know there is a lot of techie talk, but it is readable and the equations require only simple high school algebra. After you finish reading this book you won't make rookie mistakes. It's a book you can bet your job on!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent place to start
Review: Fundamentals of Telecommunications was written for the layman just starting out in the field of telecommunications. The level of writing is comparatively low. The mathematical and electrical relationships are such that readers with nearly no math or science backgrounds should feel at home. For those who believe that they need a refresher in high school science will find a mini-refresher course in the appendices.

Fundamentals of Telecommunications starts with introductory concepts such as "connectivity," direct and tandem routes and topologies. The second chapter uses electrical telegraph to teach the reader how electrical signals convey intelligence. This introduces, in a very elementary fashion, digital transmission and what the bit is. As the reader proceeds, concepts are built upon and new ideas are introduced such as quality of service and signal impairments, thus to switching, traffic and transmission. Thence the books moves into voice telephony and how digital networks work, data communications and satellites.

I have brought to this book over 20 years of giving telecommunication seminars at the University of Wisconsin, George Washington University, Arizona State University and the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (in Spanish) among others. At one seminar, I was asked: "What's resistance?" A response to this question may be found in Appendix I.

Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: This book is completely accurate, thorough, and readable. I keep it on my desk as a reference, and find it invaluable. I know the price is steep, but it's worth it!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent place to start
Review: With telecommunications growth as it is, the arena is now filled with uninformed and misinformed people trying to sell their solution. With a copy of "Fundamentals of Telecommunications" on the shelf even the novice can look up advanced topics and begin to comprehend the complexities involved in telecommunications engineering.

Mr. Freeman is able to take the real language of physics (let's face it, mathematics and physics are what rules telecom) and put those concepts into English, although it is technical English.

Just as I was led years ago to a Freeman book by a much admired engineering professor, I recommend this book as a "must have" to my introductory telecom students.