Communications Systems and Networks

"Ray has provided individuals like myself the knowledge to truly understand the maze of data communications. " David Rubin, CEO Mercury eCOMM Your Complete Guide to Todays Networked World In this unique overview, Ray Horak lucidly describes todays communications systems and networks voice, data, video, and multimedia and explains how they are likely to evolve and converge as we move further toward an information-based economy. Packed with diagrams and illustrations, Communications Systems Networks delivers plain-English explanations of all the technical fundamentals and puts everything in context by addressing standards, regulations, and the real-world outlook for legacy, contemporary, and emerging technologies. Whether you're a communications pro who wants to gain some perspective or you just want to understand our increasingly wired and wireless world, this is the one book you need to see the big picture, with just the right amount of detail.
Inside, youll find clear explanations of:Essential telecommunications concepts such as circuits, switches, multiplexers and digital and analog transmissionTransmission media from twisted pair to satellite to optical fiberThe basics of voice systems, including PBXs and computer telephony integration, and moreThe fundamentals of data communications, including basic LAN and WAN engineering, modems, protocol basics, and network infrastructure servicesTCP/IP and other Internet technologies and protocols that have become the foundation for next generation networksEmerging technologies such as DSL, CATV modems, Wireless Local Loop, SONET, and DWDMThe future of broadband networking, including Frame Relay, ATM, Broadband ISDN, and Advanced Intelligent NetworksEmerging trends, from network convergence to the effects of regulation, deregulation, and privatization