Modern Communication Circuits

Rating:
Summary: Quintessential RF text.
Review: Smith's text is one of the most comprehensive and well-written textbooks in the RF field. It vividly covers many essential RF topics which many books cover in more vague terms, or not at all. Two fat chapters on phase-locked loops explore the topic in informative depth. An excellent section on oscillators is presented, utilizing lucid and creative presentation techniques. Covers crystals, VCO's, power amplifiers, and even has a thorough chapter on resonant circuits and transformers. A wonderfully solid background chapter in small-signal transistor amplifier theory is also given. Conatins a good number of helpful examples. This text is most useful to the electrical engineer with a previous introduction to the concepts covered. Does not really cover S parameters or use of the Smith Chart. One fault of the book is the large number of typos it has, but if you can spot them, the hunt is well worth the content the book has to offer.

Rating:
Summary: Substandard Text or Reference on RF Electronics.
Review: This is a required text for a graduate level RF electronics course I am taking. I am very disappointed with this text. There are multiple mistakes and misprints throughout. It seems that the book was proofed by someone who is not familiar with electronic symbology and notation. There are many instances where inconsistant notation will be used within a single example problem! The author is very short on many subjects and longwinded on others. This book makes for a confusing and frustrating read despite the distinguished IEEE brand on the cover. My professor even commented on the sloppyness of the author. I have had to buy additional books to suppliment my studies. This is not a good reference or text book....Coming from someone who has read multiple technical text books...Beware of this one.

Rating:
Summary: Substandard Text or Reference on RF Electronics.
Review: This is a required text for a graduate level RF electronics course I am taking. I am very disappointed with this text. There are multiple mistakes and misprints throughout. It seems that the book was proofed by someone who is not familiar with electronic symbology and notation. There are many instances where inconsistant notation will be used within a single example problem! The author is very short on many subjects and longwinded on others. This book makes for a confusing and frustrating read despite the distinguished IEEE brand on the cover. My professor even commented on the sloppyness of the author. I have had to buy additional books to suppliment my studies. This is not a good reference or text book....Coming from someone who has read multiple technical text books...Beware of this one.