Featured Book Archive - 10

Each week, I select a new book that is relevant to engineers, scientists, students, hobbyists or managers. Most of the time they are sold through Amazon (I earn a few pennies on each sale), but when possible, I present books that are available in an e-book format that can be downloaded for free. The latter are much less available. After all, most people like to be paid for their work, as I'm certain that you do, too.

Note: I just began archiving these picks in May of 2009, but they have been going on since about 2003.

Handbook of RF, Microwave, and Millimeter-Wave Components, by Sergey M. Smolskiy, Leonid A. Belov, and Victor N. Kochemasov. This unique and comprehensive resource offers you a detailed treatment of the operations principles, key parameters, and specific characteristics of active and passive RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave components. The book covers both linear and nonlinear components that are used in a wide range of application areas, from communications and information sciences, to avionics, space, and military engineering. This practical book presents descriptions and clear examples and of the best materials and products used in the field, including laminates, prepregs, substrates; microstrip, coaxial and waveguide transmission lines; fixed and rotating connectors; matching and adjusting elements; frequency filters; phase shifters; and ferrite gates and circulators. 5/15/2013 Carl & Jerry: Their Complete Adventures is now available. "From 1954 through 1964, Popular Electronics published 119 adventures of Carl and Jerry, two teen boys with a passion for electronics and a knack for getting into and out of trouble with haywire lashups built in Jerry's basement. Better still, the boys explained how it all worked, and in doing so, launched countless young people into careers in science and technology. Now, for the first time ever, the full run of Carl and Jerry yarns by John T. Frye are available again, in five authorized anthologies that include the full text and all illustrations." I have posted a handful of the Carl & Jerry stories from scanned copies of the vintage Popular Electronics magazines. If you want old fashioned, clean adventures for yourself or your kids, this is it. 3/24/2013 Noise Temperature Theory and Applications for Deep Space Communications Antenna Systems, by Tom Y. Otoshi. "Deep space communications technology is bringing home benefits to all types of microwave communications systems. This groundbreaking resource explains the breakthroughs that the NASA JPL Deep Space Antenna Network achieved in reducing noise and signal interference. The book focuses on ground-based receivers and how they can be improved to pick up weak or disrupted signals. Practicing microwave engineers in all fields can apply these theories and methods to improve systems performance. In particular, engineers working on deep-space antenna systems can make the most of the techniques for analyzing errors caused by noise temperature. The book explains how to confidently predict receiver noise temperature thereby boosting the capability to receive data. Tutorials, practical formulas, and powerful techniques earn this book a permanent place on every microwave and antenna engineer's desk. ." 4/5/2013 MIMO Communication for Cellular Networks (Information Technology: Transmission, Processing and Storage), by Howard Huang, Constantinos Papadias, and Sivarama Venkatesan. "As the theoretical foundations of multiple-antenna techniques evolve and as these multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques become essential for providing high data rates in wireless systems, there is a growing need to understand the performance limits of MIMO in practical networks. To address this need, MIMO Communication for Cellular Networks presents a systematic description of MIMO technology classes and a framework for MIMO system design that takes into account the essential physical-layer features of practical cellular networks. In contrast to works that focus on the theoretical performance of abstract MIMO channels, MIMO Communication for Cellular Networks emphasizes the practical performance of realistic MIMO systems." 3/8/2013

Handbook of RF and Microwave Power Amplifiers, by John L. B. Walker. Whether you are an RF transistor designer, an amplifier designer or a system designer, this is your one-stop guide to RF and microwave transistor power amplifiers. A team of expert authors brings you up to speed on every topic, including: devices (Si LDMOS and VDMOS, GaAs FETs, GaN HEMTs), circuit and amplifier design (discrete, hybrid and monolithic), CAD, thermal design, reliability, and system applications / requirements for RF and microwave transistor amplifiers. Covering state-of-the-art developments and emphasizing practical communications applications, this is the complete professional reference on the subject. 5/22/2013 Optical Antennas, by Agio, Andrea Alù. This consistent and systematic review of recent advances in optical antenna theory and practice brings together leading experts in the fields of electrical engineering, nano-optics and nano-photonics, physical chemistry and nanofabrication. Fundamental concepts and functionalities relevant to optical antennas are explained, together with key principles for optical antenna modeling, design and characterisation. Recognizing the tremendous potential of this technology, practical applications are also outlined. Presenting a clear translation of the concepts of radio antenna design, near-field optics and field-enhanced spectroscopy into optical antennas, this interdisciplinary book is an indispensable resource for researchers and graduate students in engineering, optics and photonics, physics and chemistry. 4/24/2013 Quality Hand Soldering and Circuit Board Repair, by H. Ted Smith. Straightforward and easy to understand, the 6th edition of Quality Hand Soldering and Circuit Board Repair has been thoroughly revised to provide readers with the most up to date information in the industry. Focusing on the production and repair of circuit boards, this text begins with the basics of soldering and the requirements for a reliable solder connection. Readers are then guided through a variety of circuit board repairs, from conformal coating identification and removal to different types of track/pad repairs, burn repairs, and edge connector repairs. This step by step reference book provides readers with the skills and knowledge needed to remain competitive and in accordance with international standards. 4/10/2013 The Google Resume: How to Prepare for a Career and Land a Job at Apple, Microsoft, Google, or any Top Tech Company, by Gayle Laakmann McDowell. "The Google Resume is the only book available on how to win a coveted spot at Google, Microsoft, Apple, or other top tech firms. Gayle Laakmann McDowell worked in Google Engineering for three years, where she served on the hiring committee and interviewed over 120 candidates. She interned for Microsoft and Apple, and interviewed with and received offers from ten tech firms. If you're a student, you’ll learn what to study and how to prepare while in school, as well as what career paths to consider. If you're a job seeker, you’ll get an edge on your competition by learning about hiring procedures and making yourself stand out from other candidates." 33/15/2013

Digital Front-End in Wireless Communications and Broadcasting: Circuits and Signal Processing, by Fa-Long Luo. Covering everything from signal processing algorithms to integrated circuit design, this complete guide to digital front-end is invaluable for professional engineers and researchers in the fields of signal processing, wireless communication and circuit design. Showing how theory is translated into practical technology, it covers all the relevant standards and gives readers the ideal design methodology to manage a rapidly increasing range of applications. Step-by-step information for designing practical systems is provided, with a systematic presentation of theory, principles, algorithms, standards and implementation. 5/29/2013 Introduction to Antenna Analysis Using EM Simulators, by Hiroaki Kogure, Yoshie Kogure, and James C. Rautio. Written for novice engineers and engineering students, this easy-to-comprehend resource offers readers thorough introductory-level treatment of antenna analysis using electromagnetic (EM) simulators. This richly-illustrated book shows how to use EM software to analyze and tune wireless antennas to meet specific requirements. Readers learn important wireless antenna design terminology and gain a detailed understanding of how antennas work. Moreover, the book offers guidance in troubleshooting problems with wireless antenna designs. This authoritative reference also provides a complete overview of the many different kinds of antennas and related EM tools. DVD is included! This title contains Sonnet electromagnetics analysis software, featuring example files that are described and illustrated in the book. This book is the subject to RF Cafe Quiz #40. 5/1/2013 Hiram Percy Maxim, as a lot of RF Cafe visitors already know, was a pioneer in the realm of amateur radio. He was the progenitor of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). What might not be as well known is that he was the son of Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim, a very famous firearms manufacturer. The Maxim Gun was the first self-powered, fully automatic machine gun, capable of firing 600 rounds per minute. It played an important role in the European colonization in Africa. The mere presence of the gun struck fear in the hearts of enemies. H. Percy Maxim's uncle Hudson Maxim invented smokeless gunpowder and other revolutionary explosives. You might say that firearms wealth funded the beginnings of the ARRL and most of what amateur radio is today. Knowing this now, can ardent anti-2nd-Amendment gun confiscation proponents or anti-gun people anywhere in the world continue in the hobby in good conscience? Wouldn't it be like buying South Africa Krugerrand gold coins in spite of its Apartheid history or buying Nikes made in youth sweat shops? ...or cellphones made in near slave labor conditions? ... oh, wait. 4/3/2013 Capacitors: Technology and Trends, by R. P. Deshpande. "Capacitor technology is changing rapidly in sync with emerging applications. Capacitors are increasingly being used for energy storage in UPS systems, in cellular phones, cameras and automobiles. In power utility grids, capacitors continue to enhance transmission capacity and reduce losses. Capacitors: Technology and Trends provides the reader not only current usage and trends for its application in the electrical and electronic sectors but also the basics of capacitor physics and the evolution of raw materials and manufacturing processes. The book aims to serve as a ready reference to students, researchers, manufacturers and users of capacitors." 3/22/2013

Design of CMOS Operational Amplifiers, by Rasoul Dehghani. CMOS op amps are one of the most important building blocks in many of today s integrated circuits. This cutting-edge volume provides you with an analytical method for designing CMOS Op Amp circuits, placing emphasis on the practical aspects of the design process. This unique book takes an in-depth look at CMOS differential amplifiers, explaining how they are the main part of all Op Amps. Complete chapters dedicated to the critical issues of CMOS output stages, fully differential Op Amps, and CMOS reference generators. 6/5/2013 Introduction to Modern EW Systems, by Andrea De Martino. Master the latest electronic warfare (EW) techniques and technologies related to on-board military platforms with this authoritative resource. You gain expert design guidance on technologies and equipment used to detect and identify emitter threats, giving you an advantage in the never-ending chess game between sensor guided weapons and EW systems. This unique book offers you deeper insight into EW systems principles of operation and their mathematical descriptions, arming you with better knowledge for your specific design applications. 5/8/2013 Integration of Passive RF Front-End Components in SoCs, by Hooman Darabi and Ahmad Mirzaei. Examining the most important developments in highly integrated wireless RF front-ends, this book describes and evaluates both active and passive solutions for on-chip high-Q filtering, and explores M-phase filters in depth. An accessible step-by-step approach is used to introduce everything an RF designer needs to know about these filters, including their various forms, principles of operation, and their performance against implementation-related imperfections. Real-world examples are described in depth, and detailed mathematical analyses demonstrate the practical quantification of pertinent circuit parameters. 4/17/2013 Practical Electronics for Inventors, by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk. "Spark your creativity and gain the electronics skills required to transform your innovative ideas into functioning gadgets. Find out how to select components, safely assemble circuits, perform error tests, and build plug-and-play prototypes. Chapters on sensors, microcontrollers, modular electronics, and the latest software tools. Coverage includes: Resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers, diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits, optoelectronics, solar cells, and phototransistors, GPS modules, and touch screens, opamps, power supplies, digital electronics, LCD displays, and logic gates, DC motors, stepper motors, microphones, and speakers." 3/29/2013