Signals: The Science of Telecommunications

I work in data communications and until I read this book I found the folks at the phone company baffling.This book captures well the technical culture of the phone company right before the Internet took off.A lot of really great explanation of how things like analog modems work- with a lot of great pictures.

This book covers physical, information theoretic, and electronic issues in data communication. While the book is a bit dated, the classic material really hasn't changed that much. Pierce and Nolls give a masterful treatment of this material at an introductory to intermediate level. If you are looking for a book packed with equations and proofs or a book devoid of such things you will be disappointed. Rather, the book is heavy on qualitative understanding, with some analysis and equations following from the qualitative understanding.When I got this book, I picked it up in a bargain bin, and thought that it was worth a ...gamble that it might have some content (it looked a little too accessible, not deep). After reading this book and Pierce's (same author) Introduction to Information Theory: Signals Systems and Noise, I have a new appreciation. Pierce is the kind of guy who can get a point across, and give an understanding of some deep concepts. This book is great, and I'm really glad I have it.

Given that electronic signals are central to both artificial computers and biological nervous systems, this easy-to-read reference on electronic signals may prove useful to readers of many backgrounds.