Out in Front: August 15, 1996

Books may seem hopelessly old-fashioned in today's world of the Web and technical magazines, but they still bring a depth and breadth of information that you may not find elsewhere. Some recent titles of interest to engineers in various aspects of system design and application include:

3D Graphics: Tips, Tricks, & Techniques by David Kalwick (1996, ISBN 0-12-394970-X, Academic Press, $34.95) is a guide, tutorial, and reference for beginner and intermediate readers. Written in easy-to-follow nonacademic style, it explains 3-D modeling in straightforward yet not oversimplified language, including texture creation, lighting, animation, camera angles, and perspectives. The book begins with primitives and proceeds through advanced topics, such as metamorphosis and deformation. It includes a CD-ROM with Macintosh and Windows examples, as well as demo versions of commercial application software.

Fiber Optic Installations: A Practical Guide by Bob Chomycz (1996, ISBN 0-07-011635-0, McGraw-Hill Inc, $45) reviews fiber-optic theory and fiber types and then discusses using and installing fiber systems. Some of the discussion involves intrachassis use, but most of the book covers longer run fiber installations. Topics include handling techniques; indoor and outdoor installation; splicing, termination, and connectors; and test and maintenance. Although many of these issues are primarily mechanical, the book relates them to achievable performance, error rates, and signal degradation.

McGraw-Hill Circuit Encyclopedia and Troubleshooting Guide, Volume 3 by John Lenk (1996, ISBN 0-07-037716-2, McGraw-Hill Inc, hardcover: $59.50, paperback: $36.95), is a compendium of analog circuits from about two dozen IC vendors, in areas such as basic amplifiers, power supplies, oscillators, and filters. Although manufacturers' literature originally presented the circuits, it's handy to have them organized and accessible in this 700-pg volume. In addition, the book contains troubleshooting guidelines, which are tailored to each group of applications, information not necessarily found in the original source or application note from the vendor.

Antenna Design: A Practical Guide by George J Monser (1996, ISBN 0-07-042843-3, McGraw-Hill Inc, $60) begins with an overview of basic antenna types, modeling, performance parameters, and measurement techniques. The book then examines how you design to meet various combinations of specifications through practical real-number examples, how to validate the prototype, and how to make the transition from an acceptable prototype to production in quantity.

Electronic Instrument Design: Architecting for the Life Cycle by Kim R Fowler (1996, ISBN 0-19-508371-7, Oxford University Press, $55) covers instrument-system design, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, grounding, testing, probing, vibration and shock, and enclosures. Some of the information is well-known to most designers, and some is not. However, the book serves as a useful reminder of all the system perspectives that a total product design should consider for systems ranging from a handheld device to a full console.

Signal and Power Integrity in Digital Systems: TTL, CMOS, and BiCMOS by James E Buchanan (1996, ISBN 0-07-008734-2, McGraw-Hill Inc, $60) examines noise-tolerant logic architectures, power- and clock-distribution techniques, signal interconnection to minimize crosstalk and loading, and high-speed design techniques. It includes approximations for calculating design parameters for typical components, configurations, and circuit boards, as well as extensive references to other books and engineering trade magazines.

—by Bill Schweber.

Academic Press, Chestnut Hill, MA. (617) 232-0500.

McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. (800) 822-8158.

Oxford University Press, New York, NY. (212) 679-7300.