The Book End
Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics
Fawwaz T. Ulaby
Prentice Hall
433 pages plus CD ROM; $92
ISBN: 0-13-011554-1
Electromagnetics (EM) courses in college are undergoing major changes similar to many other technical subjects. This book bridges the gap between electric circuits and EM and provides coverage of practical applications in communication systems, radar, optics and solid-state computers. It is designed to form the basis for a one-semester EM course.
The book begins with reviews of complex numbers and phasor analysis in Chapter 1, and quickly moves to transmission line theory in Chapter 2. Chapters 3, 4 and 5 cover vector analysis, electrostatics and magnetostatics, respectively. The electrostatics topic starts with Maxwell's equations for the time-varying case, which are then specialized to electrostatics and magnetostatics.
A section on waveguides and resonators has been intentionally eliminated due to space limitations and since waveguides are no longer used as widely as in the past. Chapter 6 deals with time-varying fields and sets the stage for plane-wave propagation in dielectric and conducting media described in Chapter 7 and reflection and transmission at discontinuous boundaries discussed in Chapter 8. An introduction to fiber optics and the imaging properties of mirrors and lenses is also presented. Chapter 9 introduces the principle of radiation by currents flowing in wires, such as dipoles, as well as radiation by apertures, such as a horn antenna or an opening in an opaque screen illuminated by a light source. Chapter 10 concludes the book with overviews of two system examples, satellite communication systems and radar sensors with an emphasis on EM-related topics.
The book is unusually easy to read and understand in light of past EM textbooks. Lengthy derivations of theorems have been avoided in deference to more practical examples and explanations intended to demonstrate engineering relevance of physical concepts. Course work structured around this text should provide students with a solid foundation in applied EM techniques and encourage them to continue advanced studies in this area.
To order this book, contact:
Prentice Hall,
PO Box 11073,
Des Moines, IA 50336
(800) 947-7700.
RF Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications
Steve C. Cripps
Artech House Inc.
337 pages; $85, £64
ISBN: 0-89006-989-1
RF power amplifiers (PA) are a critical part of wireless communications systems and, over the last two decades, their design has gone through major changes. This book steps back from the current reliance on CAD techniques and provides a fresh look at basic PA design before CAD tools perform their optimization routines.
Chapter 1 starts by revisiting some basic definitions and results from linear amplifier theory and nonlinear techniques. The elliptical shape of load-pull contours plotted on a Smith chart is presented in Chapter 2. This method provides a simple procedure for predicting nonlinear behavior to a first approximation and establishes a good starting point for further CAD optimization. Chapter 3 extends this approach to class AB, B and C designs. Chapter 4 takes the simplified models and design parameters and develops practical designs using full CAD models and simulation techniques. Chapter 5 introduces the concept of overdrive as a method of improving efficiency in any of the basic modes and leads into a generalized analysis of class F design. Chapter 6 simplifies some of the interesting and possibly useful results on switching mode PAs and includes a section on class E design.
Chapters 7, 8 and 9 cover nonlinear effects and linearization techniques. Basic nonlinear theory and analytical methods to analyze nonlinear effects in PAs that are driven into gain compression are presented. Specific linearization techniques such as feedforward and predistortion are described. Finally, Chapter 10 discusses a variety of practical issues that arise in the design of PA circuits and systems. Push-pull operation and power combining techniques are covered as well as balanced amplifiers.
This book provides the designer with some basic knowledge and methods to begin the PA design prior to enlisting available CAD tools to determine optimum circuit configuration or values. It is a very readable text that supplies basic methods and techniques that are augmented by rather than rooted in modern CAD technology.
To order this book, contact:
Artech House Inc.,
685 Canton St.,
Norwood, MA 02062
(781) 769-9750, ext. 4002; or
46 Gillingham St.,
London SW1V 1HH, UK
+44 (0)171 973 8077.