With the global trends in communication and data networks, leading to IDN and ISDN, there is a special need for a comprehensive book on the ‘state-of-the-art'in Digital Communication. In the absence of such a reference book, most of our senior professionals and academics find it very hard to keep themselves abreast of the recent developments leading to information revolution and digital revolution. The present volume is an attempt to fill this gap. The book consists of ten chapters, and discusses topics such as, principles of digital modulation, source encoding, data transmission through cables and optical fibres, digital radio including satellite communication, data networks and digital switching, information theory and coding, survival of communication including spread spectrum techniques, and future trends including ISDN. Conceptually the chapters attempt to discuss from a system point of view, a total digital communication network, e.g., IDN, and the total range of signal processing techniques have been presented in subsequent chapters, thus maintaining a continuity of thought from end-to-end. The book is, therefore, addressed to both professionals in telecommunications and senior students in this area.
