1992

Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs)

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 01:41:31 GMT

One of the most significant developments in telecommunications in the last decade, the very small aperture terminal (VSAT), as part of a satellite communications network, is the culmination of technology that allows earth terminals to be located on users' premises to provide data, voice and even video services. Networks based on VSATs can be established rapidly and reconfigured to respond to changing communications needs in a flexible and cost-effective manner.

In 28 chapters written by individuals who have made major contributions to the VSAT scene, Very Small Aperture Terminals describes the key technology underlying these systems, representative systems from leading vendors, link budgets, system protocols, data distribution based on television broadcasting, service provision, economic and, perhaps most importantly, regulatory issues.

Very Small Aperture Terminals is essential reading for anyone involved in telecommunications systems management or the engineering aspects, from equipment manufacturers to those who will use the systems. The technology and systems chapters will be of interest to practising engineers and postgraduate engineering students who require an introduction to the subject. Those with responsibilities for licensing and regulation will find their functions put into context.

Microwave Circuit Theory and Foundations of Microwave Metrology

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:51:57 GMT

No system in science or engineering can be successfully designed, analysed and specified unless it is backed up by precise quantitative measurements. This is particularly difficult in the field of microwaves where, more often than not, the parameter(s) of interest cannot be observed directly but must be inferred from the measurement of other related parameters. Although the advent of the automated network analyser has eliminated much of the previous drudgery, the problems of interpreting the digitally displayed information still remain. One purpose of this book is to provide the reader with a thorough understanding of the microwave circuit model and its limitations, and thus eliminate the many potential pitfalls that otherwise await the unwary experimenter.

Starting with the field equations, the book first outlines the theoretical basis for microwave circuit theory with particular emphasis on its similarity to, and difference from, the low frequency counterpart. This leads to an identification of the parameters to be measured and is followed by a survey of measurement methods with emphasis on the 'why' in addition to 'how'.

Special emphasis is given to 'power equation methods', adapter evaluation, the six-port network analyser and noise. In these areas in particular, the book includes recently developed material that has not been previously published.

Electrical Degradation and Breakdown in Polymers

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:44:44 GMT

Breakdown is fascinating to the scientist and frustrating to the engineer! As well as advancing the scientific and engineering understanding of electrical degradation and breakdown in polymers, this book forms a comprehensive and international review of the state-of-the-art. Topics include: water and electrical treeing; charge transport; 'classical' and filamentary thermal, electromechanical, electronic and partial discharge breakdown models; the stochastic nature of breakdown and statistical characterisation techniques; and engineering considerations for breakdown testing and degradation assessment. The treatment presumes little prior knowledge but develops into an advanced understanding of new concepts such as the fractal-like nature of trees. Although the book is primarily aimed at scientists and engineers practising in the field, a broad introductory section has been included to cater for a wide audience including those new to the subject area. This comprises a description of the nature of the polymers, basic solid-state physics and an introduction to degradation and breakdown.

Algorithmic and Knowledge-based CAD for VLSI

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:39:43 GMT

The continuing growth in the size and complexity of VLSI devices requires a parallel development of well-designed, efficient CAD tools. The majority of commercially available tools are based on an algorithmic approach to the problem and there is a continuing research effort aimed at improving these. The sheer complexity of the problem has, however, led to an interest in examining the applicability of expert systems and other knowledge based techniques to certain problems in the area and a number of results are becoming available. The aim of this book is to sample the present state-of-the-art in CAD for VLSI and it covers both newly developed algorithms and applications of techniques from the artificial intelligence community. The editors believe it will prove of interest to all engineers concerned with the design and testing of integrated circuits and systems.

Lord Kelvin

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:31:28 GMT

Lord Kelvin (William Thomson), arguably Britain's most eminent scientist after Newton, spent much of his life in work which led to the development of today's electrical units and standards. Despite his influence, there are few biographies of stature (largely due to the abstruse nature of much of his technical research). This treatment concentrates upon his work in three phases; discovery of the fundamental concepts and coding them into universal laws, leading the adoption of the metric system, and securing worldwide use of units and standards (now the IEC system).

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:02:16 GMT

Valuable data, essential services and production process plants are typical assets that can be lost or seriously disturbed by power supply breaks or contamination. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can avoid potentially catastrophic havoc caused by electricity supply line disturbances. Behind this protection, however, is the need for a sound UPS design based on a thorough specification to achieve reliable and consistent functioning.

This book is a comprehensive guide to the various types of UPS systems available and how they may be specified and applied effectively. It should be beneficial to design engineers working on commercial premises and industrial processes that employ sensitive electronic equipment; to building services and their consulting engineers; and to facilities managers concerned with computer installations and telecommunication systems. Essentially written for practising electrical engineers, the text will also be of value to students in computer technology and telecommunications as well as building services and design.

Statistical Techniques for High-Voltage Engineering

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 23:58:25 GMT

This book sets out statistical methods that can be used in the preparation, execution, evaluation and interpretation of experiments of a random nature. It also includes the assessment of test methods used in high-voltage engineering from a statistical standpoint, and contains detailed sections on breakdown statistics of typical electrical insulating arrangements. Separate special areas of mathematical statistics - such as statistical trial planning, questions of reliability, and stochastic processes - are mentioned briefly. The extensive bibliography points the way to more advanced work.

Emphasis is placed on easy comprehension, clarity, visual representation and practical relevance, and each process is explained using at least one example. The book is written from the engineer's point of view: mathematical eduction is dispensed with, while mathematical logic and terminological accuracy are ensured.

This book is directed both at the practising engineer and at the student of electrical engineering at the stages of study involving independent creative experimental activity. Physicists and mathematicians encountering problems of application will also find the book invaluable.

Electricity Economics and Planning

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 23:21:32 GMT

This book is unique in gathering under one over all the elements of electricity economics and planning, both for the traditional approach and for the new developments of the 1990s, e.g. privatisation, competition, deregulation and more efficient markets and pricing. All the fundamental institutional aspects of electricity in the 1990s are also discussed, particularly relevant at a time when the utilities of the developed world are being restructured, those of the ex-centrally planned economies are being profoundly reorganised and those of developing countries have enormous debt problems. The book describes how these challenges of the 1990s are to be understood and met.

VHF and UHF Antennas

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 23:05:53 GMT

This book describes VHF and UHF antennas for the range 30-3000 MHz developed over the last 50 years. Many designs that have not previously been described in detail are covered. The author's long, practical experience is shown in numerous examples of new uses for old designs.

Particular attention is paid to the effects on the antennas of the local environment and the structures on which they are mounted, both fixed and mobile, including man. Methods of predicting and measuring the performance of antennas are described at length. The effect of adverse environments on antennas are discussed, and suggestions are given for measruing electrical performance under these conditions.

The book is primarily aimed at practising antenna engineers - the theory of basic antennas is kept to a minimum but given where appropriate for the less well-known types.