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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.

The book discusses the basic principles of coding, modulation, detection and information processing, as required to understand and appreciate the modern digital communication systems. It starts with the mathematical and conceptual background for random signals and Gaussian-derived processes, and then discusses the digital representation of signals, optimum detection and estimation, and error-correcting codes in subsequent chapters. The last chapter on information theory includes a discussion on the evaluation of practical communication systems. The major emphasis has been on digital techniques as all futuristic networks will be all-digital only. While discussing different topics, more emphasis has been placed on the conceptual understanding of the subject matter, than on mathematical rigour; and the usual practice of'theorem and proof'method of treatment has been avoided. Basic concepts and results have been clarified with suitable examples from the engineering field. Specifically while discussing optimum detection and estimation, an unified approach has been taken for both radar and communication signals. The book is primarily addressed to the senior undergraduate and junior graduate students in an university. However, this will also be very useful to the professionals in the communication area, who are not very familiar with the recent developments in digital techniques, and it is very necessary that they update their knowledge in this modern area. It is hoped that the book will fulfil the special need of a comprehensive textbook on theoretical aspects of digital communication.